Indian Railways will start the regular service of the Anand Vihar Terminal – Purulia Express from April 2, 2026. This weekly train service aims to enhance connectivity between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. It provides a much-needed direct link for passengers traveling between Ranchi and the religious hubs of Ayodhya and Varanasi, a service that was previously unavailable.
👉: Saharsa-Lokmanya Tilak Special: Service to discontinue from March 31, final run details announced।
Schedule and Route Details
Train number 14022 will depart from Anand Vihar Terminal every Thursday at 5:00 AM and reach Purulia at 10:40 AM on the following Friday. For the return journey, train number 14021 will leave Purulia every Friday at 5:00 PM and arrive at Anand Vihar at 11:10 PM on Saturday. The train consists of 22 modern LHB coaches, including air-conditioned, sleeper, and general class compartments for a comfortable journey.
Major Stoppages and Train Capacity
This service covers 18 important stations across several states. The train was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw approved the service following public demand and requests from local representatives. The list of major stoppages includes the following stations:
| State | Major Stoppages |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, Ayodhya Cantt, Varanasi, DDU Junction |
| Bihar | Bhabua Road, Sasaram, Dehri On Sone |
| Jharkhand | Garhwa Road, Daltonganj, Latehar, Lohardaga, Ranchi, Muri |
| West Bengal | Purulia |
Kuldeep Tiwari, Senior DCM of Northern Railway Lucknow Division, confirmed that the train will significantly benefit the daily movement of passengers across these regions. The inclusion of modern LHB rakes ensures better safety features compared to traditional coaches.