In a bid to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, Railways has announced the introduction of unreserved festival special express trains connecting Puri, the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath, with key terminals in New Delhi.
These temporary services aim to ease the strain on regular routes, ensuring smoother journeys for devotees, families, and holidaymakers heading north for Diwali and other celebrations.
The initiative includes a round-trip unreserved special between Anand Vihar Terminal and Puri, alongside a one-way express from Puri to Hazrat Nizamuddin, strategically routed to cover major junctions and provide affordable travel options.
Round-Trip Unreserved Festival Special: Anand Vihar – Puri (Train Nos. 04408/04407)
Train No. 04408, the Anand Vihar – Puri Festival Special Express, is scheduled to depart from Anand Vihar Terminal at 23:00 hrs (11:00 PM) on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This overnight service will arrive in Puri the following afternoon, offering a direct link for those planning last-minute pilgrimages or family reunions.
The return leg, Train No. 04407, Puri – Anand Vihar Festival Special Express, will leave Puri at 16:30 hrs (4:30 PM) on Monday, October 20, 2025, reaching the capital early on Tuesday morning.
Both trains will halt at key stations including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Balasore, Tatanagar, Bokaro Steel City, Hazaribagh Road, Gaya, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Mirzapur, and Ghaziabad. This route spans the East Coast Railway zone, blending coastal Odisha’s vibrant landscapes with the industrial heartlands of Jharkhand and Bihar before entering Uttar Pradesh.
Passenger amenities include a coach composition of 15 general and sleeper coaches, one luggage-cum-brake van, and a dedicated Divyangjan (differently-abled) coach to promote inclusive travel.
One-Way Express Special: Puri – Hazrat Nizamuddin (Train No. 08475)
For added flexibility, Indian Railways is operating a one-way express special, Train No. 08475, Puri – Hazrat Nizamuddin Express Special, departing Puri at 04:50 hrs on Sunday, October 19, 2025. This early-morning train follows a scenic yet efficient path via Sambalpur City and Jharsuguda Road, ideal for those seeking a quicker ingress to Delhi’s southern gateway.
En route, it will stop at prominent stations such as Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, Sambalpur City, Jharsuguda Road, Bilaspur, Jhansi, and Agra Cantt, providing connectivity to central India’s rail hubs and historical sites.
The train’s composition features four general coaches, 14 sleeper coaches, and two luggage-cum-brake vans equipped for Divyangjan passengers, ensuring comfort over the approximately 1,800-kilometre journey.
