Puri–New Delhi Purushottam Express via Bhubaneswar to operate from Anand Vihar Terminal instead of NDLS

The Purushottam Express (12801/12802) will now operate from Anand Vihar Terminal instead of New Delhi Railway Station, affecting Odisha-Delhi passengers. This change, effective June 12, aims to decongest NDLS and is part of broader railway redevelopment efforts.

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Representational photo of train

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In a move that is likely to impact thousands of passengers travelling between Odisha and the national capital, the Puri–New Delhi Purushottam Express (Train No. 12801/12802) will now terminate and originate from Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) instead of the iconic New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS).

The directive, issued by the Railway Board on June 12, is part of a broader effort to decongest New Delhi station, which handles an overwhelming five lakh passengers daily across 16 platforms and approximately 350 trains, as per reports.

Revised Timings and Route Unchanged

According to the revised schedule stated by Indian Railways, the Purushottam Express will arrive at Anand Vihar Terminal at 3:50 am, 10 minutes earlier than its current 4:00 am arrival at New Delhi.

Similarly, the departure timing from the capital is now set for 10:50 pm, replacing the previous 10:40 pm departure from New Delhi station.

While the train’s start and end points are shifting, the route and halt stations remain unchanged. The express continues to cover a 30-hour journey from Puri, stopping at 33 major stations, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Tatanagar, Bokaro Steel City, Gaya, Prayagraj, and Kanpur Central.

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Redevelopment Work at New Delhi Station Prompts Rerouting

The primary reason behind the relocation is likely due to the upcoming redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station, a massive infrastructure project aiming to modernise one of India’s busiest rail hubs.

As such, railway officials believe the rerouting will not only ease the load on New Delhi station but also improve operational efficiency, turnaround times, and security.

Other Trains Also Reassigned to Alternate Terminals

The Purushottam Express is not alone in this change. At least six other trains running on the busy Howrah and Mumbai routes will also be redirected to Anand Vihar Terminal, including the New Delhi–New Jalpaiguri Superfast Express (12523/12524).

Meanwhile, other services are being shifted to different terminals:

  • New Delhi–Jalandhar City Express (14681/14682) and New Delhi–Amritsar Express (14679/14680) will now operate from Delhi Junction (Old Delhi).

  • The Saharsa–Amritsar Express (12203/12204) will also be moved to Delhi Junction.

  • The New Delhi–Mumbai Central Duronto Express (22209/22210) will begin running from Hazrat Nizamuddin Station.

Officials clarified that additional trains may soon follow suit and begin operating from Hazrat Nizamuddin or Delhi Sarai Rohilla, depending on operational feasibility and infrastructural readiness.

Railway authorities are expected to notify passengers in advance through digital boards, announcements, and SMS alerts. Passengers are advised to verify the origins and destinations of trains before making travel arrangements.

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