Good news for people of Odisha! The Ministry of Railways has extended the services of Banaras-Sambalpur-Banaras bi-weekly Express. The extension of this train will be flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan. Now, this bi-weekly Express train will run upto Visakhapatnam.
Inaugural run of Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express:-
With the extension of train number 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express, the train will run as a special train from Sambalpur towards Visakhapatnam. However, the regular service in the extended portion for this train will commence on November 22nd from Visakhapatnam and from Banaras on November 23rd.
Distance and Travel time of 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express:-
The train number 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express will cover a distance of 1405 km in 20 hrs and 20 minutes. This is the single train on the entire route. Earlier, it took 19 hrs and 30 minutes to cover a distance of around 900 km.
Frequency and Coach composition of 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express:-
The 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express operates twice a week in each direction. From Banaras, the train departs on Monday and Thursday while from Visakhapatnam, the train will leave on Wednesday and Sunday. The train is composed of 21 coaches including 2 SLR, 6 General Compartments, 4 Third AC, 1 Second AC, and 8 Sleeper Class compartments.
Stoppage of 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express:-
During its journey between the two stations, the train 18311/18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam-Banaras bi-weekly Express will stop at 40 stations. These are – Varanasi Junction, Kashi, DD Upadhyay Junction, Bhabua Road, Kudra, Sasaram, Dehri On Sone, Nabinagar Road, Japla, Haidarnagar, Muhammadganj, Untare Road, Garwa Road, Daltonganj, Barwadih Junction, Tori, Khalari, Barka Kana, Ramgarh Cantt, Muri, Ranchi, Hatia, Pokla, Bano, Nuagaon, Rourkela, Rajgangpur, Jharsuguda Junction, Rengali, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram Junction, and Kothavalasa railway stations.
Significance:-
The extension of this train to Visakhapatnam is a game-changer for the people of Southern and Western Odisha. The extension of this train from Sambalpur to Visakhapatnam will serve as a lifeline for the residents of Western and Southern Odisha travelling for various other reasons like Business, Education and Medical Treatment.