Odisha CM Flags off Special Train to Gujarat for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Parade
by Himanshu · KalingaTVAdvertisement
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday flagged off a special train from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, carrying around 1,000 representatives from 19 Naxal-free districts of Odisha to participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Parade on October 31.
The national-level parade will be held near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar to commemorate the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India.
The delegates will represent Odisha at the event, highlighting the state’s journey towards peace, security and development following its efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism.
Speaking to the media after flagging off the train, Chief Minister Majhi paid rich tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and recalled his remarkable contribution to India’s unification.
He said that through extraordinary leadership and determination, Sardar Patel united more than 550 princely states to lay the foundation of a united India.
The Chief Minister said that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, October 31 has been observed annually as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to honour Patel’s contribution to national unity.
He further stated that this year’s national unity parade would reflect the country’s progress towards becoming free from Naxalism.
Majhi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s leadership and the sustained efforts of security forces for the progress made in eliminating Left-Wing Extremism across the country.
He asserted that Odisha and the country have become completely free from Naxalism and are moving rapidly towards development.
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The Chief Minister said the state government is giving top priority to infrastructure development and socio-economic progress in areas previously affected by Naxal activities.
He highlighted the implementation of the Gramodaya Plus scheme in 10 affected districts, under which various welfare programmes are being integrated to ensure that benefits reach eligible beneficiaries and help them join the mainstream of development.
Majhi also emphasised the collective efforts of India’s 140 crore citizens towards realising Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
New Puri–Badampahar Express Train Announced
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced that the Central Government has approved a new express train service between Puri and Badampahar in Mayurbhanj district.
He informed that President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to flag off the new train during the first week of November 2026.
The proposed train service is expected to strengthen railway connectivity across six districts of Odisha, namely Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
The new railway service is expected to improve transportation facilities and provide better connectivity between coastal and northern Odisha.
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