In a move that will affect thousands of passengers traveling between Odisha and Delhi, the Indian Railways has announced that the Puri–New Delhi Purushottam Express (12801/12802) will now operate from Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) instead of the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) starting June 12.
This decision is part of a larger railway initiative to decongest NDLS, which currently handles nearly 5 lakh passengers daily across 16 platforms.
What’s Changing
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New Terminal: Anand Vihar Terminal replaces NDLS as the train’s start and end point.
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Arrival Time in Delhi: Now 3:50 AM (earlier by 10 minutes).
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Departure Time from Delhi: Now 10:50 PM (delayed by 10 minutes).
What Remains Unchanged
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Route and stoppages stay the same.
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The train continues to run through key stations like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Tatanagar, Gaya, Prayagraj, and Kanpur, covering 33 stops in a 30-hour journey.
The relocation comes in response to the upcoming redevelopment of New Delhi station, a massive infrastructure overhaul aimed at modernising the city’s busiest rail hub. Authorities say this will boost efficiency, safety, and turnaround time for long-distance trains.
Other Train Shifts
Several other major trains are also being reassigned:
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New Delhi–New Jalpaiguri Superfast Express → Anand Vihar
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New Delhi–Amritsar and Jalandhar Express → Old Delhi (Delhi Junction)
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Saharsa–Amritsar Express → Delhi Junction
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New Delhi–Mumbai Duronto Express → Hazrat Nizamuddin
Additional trains may soon follow based on operational feasibility.
Railways will inform passengers via SMS alerts, station announcements, and digital display boards. Travelers are advised to double-check terminal details before planning journeys.
