**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4490, addressed on August 20, 2025, regarding the introduction of a passenger train service between Banspani and Barbil in the Keonjhar district of Odisha. The question, posed by Shri Ananta Nayak, inquired about the government's awareness of public demand, the existence of feasibility studies, and plans for a MEMU/DEMU passenger train service on this route.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, responded that the introduction of new trains is contingent upon several factors, including capacity of the section, availability of path, rolling stock, infrastructure, and maintenance requirements.
Currently, Barbil is served by 6 train services, including the 12021/22 Howrah-Barbil Jan Shatabdi Express, 18415/16 Barbil-Puri Express, and 68125/26 Tatanagar-Barbil MEMU. Banspani is served by 8 train services, including the 20891/20892 Tatanagar-Brahmapur Vande Bharat Express, 20815/20816 Tatanagar-Vishakapatnam Express, 18427/18428 Puri-Anand Vihar T Express, and 18415/18416 Barbil-Puri Express. The 18415/18416 Puri-Barbil Express also connects Barbil and Banspani. The response indicates that Indian Railways is undertaking network expansion works to increase capacity and potentially accommodate more trains in the future.
Key Entities Referenced
Banspani: A location in Odisha, India; mentioned as a potential origin point for a new train service.
Barbil: A location in Odisha, India; mentioned as a potential destination for a new train service.
Keonjhar district of Odisha: A district in Odisha, India, where Banspani and Barbil are located.
MEMUDEMU passenger train service: A type of passenger train service proposed for the short stretch between Banspani and Barbil.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
HowrahBarbil Jan Shatabdi Express: A train service currently serving Barbil.
BarbilPuri Express: A train service currently serving Barbil and Banspani.
Indian Railways: The railway operator in India, undertaking network expansion works.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4490
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
NEW TRAIN FROM BANSPANI TO BARBIL
4490. SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the long-standing public
demand for introduction of a passenger train service between Banspani
and Barbil in Keonjhar district of Odisha and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any feasibility study or
survey in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any plan under consideration to introduce a
MEMU/DEMU/passenger train service in this short stretch, which
currently lacks proper public rail transport and if so, the details thereof;
and
(d) if not, whether the Government considers taking necessary steps to
address this legitimate public need, given the growing economic and
social importance of this region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) Introduction of new trains, increase in frequency of existing
trains, extension of existing trains etc. on any route/section depends on
various factors which include:
● Capacity of that section,
● Availability of path,
● Availability of required rolling stock,● Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock,
● Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
Considering the above factors, presently, Barbil is being served by 6
train services viz. 12021/22 Howrah-Barbil Jan Shatabdi Express,
18415/16 Barbil-Puri Express and 68125/26 Tatanagar-Barbil MEMU.
Similarly, Banspani is being served by 8 train services viz. 20891/20892
Tatnagar-Brahmapur Vande Bharat Express, 20815/20816 Tatanagar-
Vishakapatnam Express, 18427/18428 Puri-Anand Vihar (T) Express and
18415/18416 Barbil-Puri Express. Further, Barbil is connected to
Banspani by 18415/18416 Puri-Barbil Express.
To increase the capacity of the rail network and hence to run more
trains, Indian Railways have taken up network expansion works in a big
way.
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