Brahmapur, July 6 -- A daily service of Amrit Bharat Express between Brahmapur and Surat was launched on Monday, and a daytime rail service between Puri and Koraput has commenced, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

Speaking to reporters in Brahmapur, Vaishwanw said there was already a night service from Puri to Koraput, but there had long been a demand for a daytime service--specifically one that would connect the entire southern and western regions of Odisha--and that service has now commenced.

"Additionally, the Amrit Bharat Express, a daily service between Brahmapur and Surat, was launched today. Given the long-standing economic and cultural ties between Ganjam district and Surat, there had been a persistent demand for this...