Uparbeda, a village in Keonjhar district, Odisha, India, is about 30–40 km from Keonjhar town. Due to its remote location, reaching Uparbeda involves traveling to Keonjhar first, then using local transport.
This guide covers all transportation modes—air, rail, road, auto-rickshaw, bicycle, walking, and multimodal—for travelers starting anywhere in the world.
1. By Air
- Step 1: Fly to a Nearby Airport
- Choose a domestic airport with good connectivity to Odisha, such as Kolkata (CCU), Ranchi (IXR), or an airport within Odisha, approximately 200–400 km from Keonjhar. Major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara operate flights from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, or Hyderabad.
- Cost: ₹3,000–₹10,000, depending on origin and booking time.
- Step 2: Connect to Keonjhar
- From the airport, take a bus, taxi, or train to Keonjhar (4–8 hours, 200–400 km).
- Bus: State-run or private buses are available from nearby cities.
- Train: If the airport city has a railway station, take a train to Keonjhar (details below).
- Taxi: Hire a taxi for direct travel to Keonjhar.
- Cost: Bus (~₹200–₹700); train (~₹150–₹1,000); taxi (~₹3,000–₹7,000).
- From the airport, take a bus, taxi, or train to Keonjhar (4–8 hours, 200–400 km).
- Step 3: Keonjhar to Uparbeda
- From Keonjhar, hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or take a local bus to Uparbeda (30–40 km, ~1–1.5 hours).
- Cost: ₹100–₹500 (bus/auto-rickshaw); ₹500–₹1,000 (taxi).
- Note: Air travel suits long-distance travelers but requires additional road/rail travel due to Uparbeda’s remoteness.
2. By Rail
- Step 1: Reach a Connecting Railway Station
- Travel to a major railway station with connections to Keonjhar, such as Howrah (Kolkata), Jamshedpur, Rourkela, or a station within Odisha. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai may require a change of trains.
- Step 2: Train to Keonjhar
- Keonjhar Railway Station, 30–40 km from Uparbeda, is on the Tatanagar–Bilaspur line (South Eastern Railway). Trains like the Barbil–Howrah Janshatabdi Express or similar connect Keonjhar to cities like Kolkata (6–7 hours, ~350 km) or other hubs (4–15 hours, depending on distance).
- Cost: ₹150–₹1,500 (sleeper/AC, depending on distance).
- Step 3: Keonjhar to Uparbeda
- Hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or take a local bus to Uparbeda (1–1.5 hours).
- Cost: ₹100–₹500 (bus/auto-rickshaw); ₹500–₹1,000 (taxi).
- Note: Keonjhar has limited train services. Check schedules on IRCTC or railway apps, as rural routes may be infrequent.
3. By Road
Road travel is the most practical for reaching Uparbeda, especially for the final leg from Keonjhar.
By Bus
- Step 1: Bus to Keonjhar
- Take a state-run (e.g., OSRTC) or private bus to Keonjhar from nearby cities like Kolkata, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, or cities within Odisha (4–8 hours, 200–400 km).
- Cost: ₹200–₹700 (AC/non-AC).
- Step 2: Keonjhar to Uparbeda
- Local buses or shared jeeps from Keonjhar bus stand to Uparbeda (1–1.5 hours). Services may be infrequent.
- Cost: ₹50–₹150.
- Note: Rural bus services to Uparbeda are limited, and roads may be poor during monsoons (June–September).
By Taxi/Private Car
- Step 1: Drive or Hire a Taxi
- From your city, hire a taxi or drive to Keonjhar using national highways (e.g., NH20). Distance: 200–400 km from major eastern cities (4–8 hours).
- Cost: ₹3,000–₹7,000 one-way to Keonjhar.
- Step 2: Keonjhar to Uparbeda
- Continue by taxi to Uparbeda (30–40 km, ~1–1.5 hours).
- Cost: ₹500–₹1,000.
- Note: Taxis are flexible but costlier. Ensure drivers know rural routes, as Uparbeda may not be on GPS.
By Motorcycle/Scooter
- Rent a motorcycle in a nearby city or Keonjhar and ride to Uparbeda (30–40 km from Keonjhar, ~1 hour).
- Cost: Rental (~₹500–₹1,000/day) + fuel (~₹200–₹300).
- Note: Rural roads may be narrow or unpaved. Helmets are mandatory.
4. By Auto-Rickshaw
- From Keonjhar town or bus stand, hire an auto-rickshaw to Uparbeda (30–40 km, ~1–1.5 hours).
- Cost: ₹200–₹500 (private); cheaper for shared auto-rickshaws.
- Note: Auto-rickshaws are slower and less comfortable for rural journeys. Best for the final leg if buses are unavailable.
5. By Bicycle or Walking
- Bicycle: Rent a bicycle in Keonjhar for short distances. Cycling to Uparbeda (30–40 km) is feasible but challenging due to hilly terrain.
- Cost: ₹100–₹200/day.
- Walking: If dropped off near Uparbeda (e.g., by bus/taxi), walk 1–5 km to the village.
- Cost: Free.
- Note: Suitable for short distances or eco-conscious travel. Carry water, as rural facilities are limited.
6. By Multimodal Transport
Combine modes for efficiency:
- Flight + Road: Fly to a nearby airport, take a bus/taxi to Keonjhar, then a local taxi/auto-rickshaw to Uparbeda.
- Train + Road: Train to Keonjhar, then a local bus/taxi to Uparbeda.
- Bus + Auto-Rickshaw: Bus to Keonjhar, then an auto-rickshaw to Uparbeda.
- Note: Plan connections, as rural transport schedules are unreliable.
Recommended Route
- Reach Keonjhar: Take a train or bus to Keonjhar (or fly to a nearby airport and continue by road).
- Keonjhar to Uparbeda: Hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw for reliability, or use a local bus if budget-conscious.
Tips for Travelers
- Road Conditions: Rural roads may be unpaved or damaged during monsoons. Check weather forecasts.
- Local Transport: Confirm bus/jeep schedules at Keonjhar bus stand. Taxis are more reliable.
- Navigation: Use GPS (e.g., Google Maps), but expect limited network coverage. Ask locals for directions.
- Timing: Start early to reach Uparbeda before evening, as rural transport reduces after dark.
- Essentials: Carry cash, water, and snacks, as ATMs and shops are scarce near Uparbeda.