Source – https://www.news9live.com/utility/railways-extends-services-of-banaras-sambalpur-banaras-bi-weekly-express-up-to-visakhapatnam-check-details-inside-2356310
Publisher – News Nine
Indian Railways has extended the services of Banaras-Sambalpur-Banaras bi-weekly Express. The train will now carry passengers up to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and will cover around 1400 kilometres.
New Delhi: In a bid to provide comfortable and memorable journey to passengers, Indian Railways has extended the services of the Banaras-Sambalpur-Banaras bi-weekly Express. With its extension, the train will now carry passengers up to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from Sambalpur Railway Station, Odisha. With its extended services, the train was flagged off by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
Regular services of the Banaras-Sambalpur-Banaras bi-weekly Express
While the train embarked on its trial run on Monday from Sambalpur to Visakhapatnam, it will commence its regular services on the extended route on November 22 from Visakhapatnam. From Banaras, the train will embark on its regular journey on November 23.
The services of the train have been extended to Visakhapatnam without disturbing the scheduled timings and stoppages for this train between Sambalpur and Banaras.
The extended train has now been named Visakhapatnam-Banaras Express and will operate with train number 18311/18312.
The train will embark on its journey from Visakhapatnam every Wednesday and Sunday at 4:10 am.
In its return journey, the 18312 Banaras-Visakhapatnam Express will embark on its journey from Banaras, Uttar Pradesh, every Thursday and Monday at 3: 00 pm.
During its journey, the train will make a halt at several important stations, including Bargarh Rd, Balangir, Kesinga, Titilagarh, Muniguda, Parvatipuram, Rayagada, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, and Kottavalasa.
With the extension of the services, the distance between the two destinations has increased from 895 km to 1400 km. Moreover, the travel time has also been extended from 20 hours and 25 minutes to about 28 hours and 30 minutes.
The train will now run with LHB Coaches featuring six second class seating, eight sleeper classes (Nine temporarily), four AC-3 tier and one AC-2 tier. Moreover, the train will also feature one guard cum luggage and divyangjan coach and one power car.
Benefits of the training
The train will prove a boon for people travelling between Andhra Pradesh, Southern India and Western Odisha for different reasons, including medical treatments, education, and business. In addition to this, the train will also enhance tourism and cultural exchange with direct connectivity between Banaras and Visakhapatnam.
