Amid a trial run of a Howrah-PuriVande Bharat Express on Friday, the Odisha Government demanded introduction of the high-speed trains for Bhubaneswar-Hyderabad, Puri-Rourkela and Puri-Howrah routes.

State Transport Minister TukuniSahu wrote a letter in this regard to Railway Minister AshwiniVaishnaw.

“I would like to request you to introduce Vande Bharat Express trains through Odisha to meet the growing aspirations of people. Request you to introduce a Vande Bharat Express train between Puri and Howrah to offer faster travel options to passengers,” Sahu wrote.

“As you are aware, there are very few faster trains that connect western Odisha and the State capital. I would request you to introduce a Vande Bharat Express train between Puri and Rourkela connecting Sambalpur which will facilitate faster passenger movement from western Odisha districts to the State capital. It will boost intra-State economic activity and connect the airports in Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Bhubaneswar,” she mentioned.

“As you are aware, a large number of people from Odisha are staying in Hyderabad. I would also like to request you to introduce another Vande Bharat Express train connecting Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad which will facilitate faster movement of passengers between the two capital cities,” Sahu wrote.

“I, therefore, request you to consider the genuine demands of the State which will offer better passenger convenience and faster travel options to businessmen, tourists and aspiring people of Odisha,” she concluded.