Rourkela’s Smooth Travel Networks

Rourkela has good transportation options that make travel easy. Both roads and railways connect the city, and it also has an airport with many services available for getting to and from Rourkela.

Rourkela Junction (ROU) lies on the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai main line and serves as a key railway hub linking East and West Odisha with major industrial and urban centres across India. It connects travellers to important destinations such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Tatanagar, Bilaspur, and major metros through long-distance trains. The Hatia–Rourkela line and ongoing upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme enhance ROU’s infrastructure, allowing it to continue strengthening its role as a modern, efficient, and vital gateway in eastern India’s rail network.

Rourkela has its own airport – Rourkela Airport, in Chhend, about 6 km from the city centre and operates commercial flights under the UDAN scheme. Along with this, the nearest major airports are Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. Convenient trains also connect Rourkela to both Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.

The city has a well-developed road network. Public buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cab services provide options for local travel. Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) buses connect Rourkela to other cities in Odisha and neighbouring states. SH-10 and NH-143 connect Rourkela to various towns of the state. Also, the NH-143 connects it to the nearby city of Ranchi, which is the capital of Jharkhand.

The Ama Bus service operates within the local network and provides convenient e-bus connectivity across key areas such as Vedvyas, Jhirpani, NIT Rourkela, and Rajgangpur. Ola, Uber, and other taxi services operate widely throughout the city.