Baripada railway station is a railway station serving the town of Baripada, the headquarters of Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha. The station forms part of the Indian Railways network and lies on the Rupsa–Bangriposi branch line, providing rail connectivity to a region historically served by the erstwhile Mayurbhanj State Railway.
| Name | Baripada railway station |
|---|---|
| Location | Baripada, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha |
| Country | India |
| Owner | Indian Railways |
| Line | Rupsa–Bangriposi branch line |
| Zone | South Eastern Railway |
Baripada is the principal urban centre of Mayurbhanj district in northern Odisha. Rail access to the town originated with the Mayurbhanj State Railway, a narrow gauge line built under the patronage of the rulers of the former princely state of Mayurbhanj to connect the interior of the state with the Bengal Nagpur Railway main line at Rupsa. After the merger of Mayurbhanj with the Indian Union in 1949, the line was absorbed into the Indian Railways system.
The branch line from Rupsa Junction to Bangriposi, passing through Baripada, was originally laid as a narrow gauge route. It was subsequently converted to broad gauge under Indian Railways' Project Unigauge programme, allowing through-running with the wider national network. Baripada functions as one of the principal intermediate stations on this line.
The station handles passenger services connecting Baripada with Rupsa Junction, Balasore, and onward destinations on the Howrah–Chennai main line, as well as services towards Bangriposi. The line provides Mayurbhanj district with its main rail link to Kolkata and other parts of eastern India.
As the railhead for Baripada town and a wide hinterland in Mayurbhanj, the station serves passenger traffic generated by administrative, educational, and commercial activity in the district headquarters. It also provides access for visitors to nearby destinations including Similipal National Park and the cultural sites associated with the former Mayurbhanj royal family.