KORAPUT REGION, December 2025 — Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has called upon the central government to accelerate several long-pending railway projects in southern Odisha, emphasizing their critical role in enhancing regional connectivity and unlocking development potential.

Ulaka specifically urged the immediate notification of the Rayagada railway division, the introduction of a new daytime express train connecting Koraput and Bhubaneswar via Rayagada, and the extension of the Vande Bharat Express service to Koraput.

The MP highlighted the stalled progress of the Rayagada railway division, announced eight years prior and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting its non-functional status due to the absence of a formal notification. Decisions continue to be made by the Waltair division, and the local office lacks essential departments, hindering its operational capacity. This division is intended to cover districts including Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Kalahandi in Odisha, along with Kirandul in Chhattisgarh.

Ulaka stressed that these demands are not new but are essential for the people of southern Odisha, particularly for students, patients, and regular commuters who face hardships due to inadequate train services. The MP's plea underscores the urgent need for central government intervention to realize these vital infrastructure improvements.

Source: The Times of India