Bhubaneswar, Feb 23 (IANS): Ahead of the presentation of the railway budget in parliament Thursday, Odisha state BJP leaders Monday requested Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to introduce two new trains that will improve rail connectivity in Odisha.

State BJP president K.V. Singhdeo said the railway minister has been urged to introduce a new Bhubaneswar to Mumbai duronto express and Titlagarh to Allahabad express.

Singhdeo said since lakhs of Odia people are working in Mumbai in various sectors, a non-stop duronto express will reduce travel time and make it convenient for them.

There is currently only one direct train from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai, the Konark Express, which takes over 36 hours to reach its destination.

Urging the railway minister to introduce a Titlagarh to Allahabad express, the BJP leader said presently there is only one train from entire Odisha - Purushottam Express - that goes from Puri to Allahabad completely bypassing western Odisha.

A direct train from Titlagarh to Allahabad will cater to the western Odisha and southern Chhattisgarh population.