The injured, who included women, were admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital here for treatment, said an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official.
Sources said the toll could go up as several of the injured were in serious condition.
According to the official, the Bhubaneswar-Bhadrak DMU train collided with a stationary freight train near Kathajodi station in Cuttack around 6.30 p.m.
Senior railway officers with accident relief train and medical van have already rushed to the spot, the ECoR official added.
Cuttack district collector and other officials of the administration also reached the spot.
ODRAF team of Odisha government and ambulances have also been pressed into the rescue operation.
Cuttack district collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra said he would ask the railway officials to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the exact reason for the incident.
"We are presently focusing on the rescue operation. Several injured have been admitted to the hospital," said Mishra.
Following the incident, train services between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were affected.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the incident and directed that the rescue operation be speeded up.
Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said 18-20 injured persons have been admitted to the SCB hospital.
"A team of doctors has been formed to look after the injured persons. Additional beds have been arranged. We will provide free treatment to them," said Nayak.
