South East Central Railway starts special service for Jagannath devotees
To help thousands of devotees reach Puri during the grand Ratha Yatra festival, the South East Central Railway (SECR) has announced a special train service between Gondia (Maharashtra) and Khurda Road (Odisha).This new train is a thoughtful move to ensure a smooth and convenient journey for pilgrims travelling to seek the darshan of Lord Jagannath. The special service will operate five times in both directions between June 26 and July 7, 2025.advertisementKEY DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICE:Train Number 08893 – Gondia to Khurda RoadThis special Rath Yatra train will depart from Gondia at 13:30 hrs on June 26, 28, 30, and July 2 and 5.Important halts include:Dongargarh (14:30 hrs)Rajnandgaon (15:00 hrs)Durg (15:58 hrs)Raipur (17:05 hrs)Mandir Hasaud (18:55 hrs)It will reach Khurda Road the next morning at 08:45 hrs.Train Number 08894 – Khurda Road to GondiaThe return train will leave Khurda Road at 11:00 hrs on June 28, 29 and July 1, 3, and 7.It will reach Gondia at 04:15 hrs the following day with key halts at:Mandir Hasaud (22:30 hrs)Raipur (01:00 hrs)Durg (01:58 hrs)Rajnandgaon (02:23 hrs)Dongargarh (02:48 hrs)COACH COMPOSITION:The special train will consist of 18 coaches, offering a mix of classes to suit all types of passengers:2 AC 2-tier coaches1 AC 3-tier coach7 Sleeper class coaches6 General unreserved coaches2 SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) coachesMAJOR HALTS ALONG THE ROUTE:To ensure maximum coverage and convenience, the train will stop at major stations such as:Mahasamund, Bagbahra, Khariar Road, Nawapara Road, Harishankar Road, Kantabanji, Titlagarh, Balangir, Bargarh Road, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Bhubaneswar, and many others.With thousands expected to travel for the Ratha Yatra this year, this dedicated train service will help ease travel pressures. It will especially benefit pilgrims from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and nearby areas, providing a direct, safe, and comfortable route to Odisha. SECR's move reflects its commitment to supporting religious tourism and ensuring passengers can reach the sacred town of Puri with ease.
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