To meet the growing demand for transport facilities the East Coast Railway, with its headquarters at Bhubaneswar, came into existence in the year 1996. Besides Bhubaneswar the East Coast Railway has its divisions at Khurda Road, Sambalpur and Waltair. Both express and mail trains available from the stations of the East Coast Railway, Bhubaneswar. Srikakulam, Vizainagaram and Visakhapatnam districts can also be accessed by East Coast Railway.

There are several express trains that ply to and from Bhubaneswar, Puri, Howrah, Delhi, Sambalpur and others. The trains plying for East Coast Railway provide access to several pilgrimage places, such as, Puri, Haridwar, Amritsar and others. Besides the regular train service there are special trains as well. Prior reservations are required to avail these trains. To ensure a comfortable journey for the passengers facilities like cloak rooms, computerised reservation services, medical assistances, etc have been arranged by the administrations