By Yajati Rout
Copyright pragativadi
The facility, located between Khurda Road and Khurda Town stations, was formally opened by Hon’ble Member of Parliament Smt. Aparajita Sarangi (Lok Sabha), fulfilling a long-standing demand from local communities.
Smt. Sarangi expressed her delight during the inauguration, stating, “I am thrilled to inaugurate the new Passenger Halt at Taraboi today. This facility will immensely benefit the residents of Taraboi and surrounding Gram Panchayats, particularly the students and faculty of IIT Bhubaneswar, NISER, and other prestigious educational institutions in the vicinity. With four pairs of trains now stopping here, daily commuters will experience enhanced convenience.” She further highlighted how the halt will improve access to healthcare, promote tourism to sites like Barunei Hills, Khurda Fort, and Barunei Temple, and align with Indian Railways’ vision for inclusive growth and last-mile connectivity in Odisha.
Divisional Railway Manager of Khurda Road Division, Alok Tripathi, welcomed dignitaries, public representatives, media, and locals, emphasising the halt’s role in addressing community needs. “The Taraboi Passenger Halt meets a long-standing demand and underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to inclusive development and better connectivity across the region,” he said.
Approved by the Railway Board in January 2024, the project was completed in September 2025 at a cost of ₹80 lakhs. It serves over five Gram Panchayats and features modern amenities such as a drinking water hand pump, waiting hall, platform shelter with six bays, adequate lighting, rail-level platform, timetable board, fare chart, dustbins, and toilets.
Starting today, four pairs of trains will provide stoppages at Taraboi:
Towards Daspalla:
68443 Bhadrak-Daspalla MEMU: Arrives 0918 hrs, departs 0919 hrs.
68429 Bhubaneswar-Daspalla MEMU: Arrives 1019 hrs, departs 1020 hrs.
18423 Bhubaneswar-Daspalla Express: Arrives 1900 hrs, departs 1902 hrs.
68449 Puri-Daspalla MEMU: Arrives 1925 hrs, departs 1926 hrs.
Towards Khurda Road:
18424 Daspalla-Bhubaneswar Express: Arrives 0755 hrs, departs 0756 hrs.
68450 Daspalla-Puri MEMU: Arrives 0818 hrs, departs 0820 hrs.
68430 Daspalla-Bhubaneswar MEMU: Arrives 1725 hrs, departs 1726 hrs.
68444 Daspalla-Bhadrak MEMU: Arrives 1808 hrs, departs 1809 hrs.
This inauguration marks another milestone in Indian Railways’ efforts to foster regional development, ease travel for commuters, and connect remote areas to essential services and opportunities.