Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed concerns regarding the potential extension of the Purushottam Express to Hisar during a session in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2026. The query, raised by Member of Parliament Jaiprakash, also sought information regarding the possibility of routing the Bikaner-Sealdah Duronto Express via Hisar to New Delhi. The Minister’s response highlighted the operational complexities involved in adjusting major train routes, leaving the final decision on these requests currently undecided.
- The Railway Minister did not confirm the extension of the Purushottam Express to Hisar.
- The Ministry emphasized that service expansions depend on the operational capacity of railway sections.
- Official records indicate that a previous assessment on May 2, 2026, found the Purushottam Express extension to be unfeasible.
- Hisar currently maintains connectivity with 74 train services, including routes to eastern and northeastern India.
Operational Constraints and Policy
In his formal reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister Vaishnaw explained that the expansion or alteration of train services is an ongoing, dynamic process. He noted that any changes are contingent upon the capacity of the respective railway sections, which must be carefully evaluated to ensure the overall efficiency of the network. This response serves as a follow-up to internal assessments conducted earlier this year, specifically around May 2, 2026, where the railway department had already indicated that extending the Purushottam Express to Hisar was not operationally feasible at that time.
Existing Connectivity in Hisar
While the demand for new extensions remains under consideration, the government highlighted that Hisar is already well-integrated into the national rail network. According to the Minister, the station currently benefits from 74 train services that provide critical connectivity to India’s eastern and northeastern regions. Key services currently serving the area include the 14619/20 Agartala-Cantt-Firozpur Express and the 12555/12556 Bathinda-Gorakhpur Express. These trains facilitate travel to major hubs such as Agartala, Guwahati, Patna, and Gorakhpur, ensuring that passengers in the region maintain vital links to the rest of the country despite the current status of the proposed extensions.