Anand Vihar Terminal :- The Modern and Bustling Rail Hub of Delhi
Detailed History
Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) is a modern and major railway station of Indian Railways located in the Anand Vihar region of East Delhi. Managed under the Delhi Division of the Northern Railway zone, the primary objective of constructing this terminal was to decongest the heavy passenger and train traffic at Old Delhi, New Delhi, and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Delhi witnessed an unprecedented growth in population and rail commuters. To address this, Indian Railways planned to develop directional terminals across Delhi. Anand Vihar was selected for trains bound towards the eastern direction (such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Assam). This grand station was officially inaugurated on December 19, 2009. Although it started with just a few trains, today it has transformed into one of the busiest and most modern transportation hubs in Delhi, hosting lakhs of passengers daily.
Detailed Architecture
The architecture of Anand Vihar Terminal is modern, eco-friendly, and futuristic. Unlike traditional Indian railway stations, it has been designed to offer an airport-like world-class experience.
Exterior Architecture :–
- Grand Facade :– The main entrance features a highly contemporary facade integrated with large glass and concrete panels. This allows ample natural light during the day and illuminates beautifully at night.
- Flyovers and Drainage :– Separate subways and flyovers have been constructed outside the station for smooth traffic flow. Its advanced drainage system and massive parking area keep the surroundings highly organized.
Interior Architecture :–
- Segregated Arrival & Departure :– To manage crowd control effectively, separate pathways and concourse lobbies have been designed for arriving and departing passengers.
- Platforms and Sheds :– Currently, the station features 7 modern platforms, fully covered with state-of-the-art and durable sheds that protect passengers from sun and rain.
- Eco-Friendly Features :– The station incorporates a water recycling plant and extensive LED lighting. The massive concourse area can comfortably accommodate thousands of passengers waiting for their trains.
Travel Guide & Routes
Anand Vihar Terminal is not just a railway station; it is a comprehensive “Multi-Modal Transport Hub” where the railway, metro, and bus services seamlessly converge at a single point.
Tickets & Timings :–
- Ticket Counters :– The station is equipped with modern counters and ATVM machines. Both unreserved (General) and reserved (Reservation) ticket counters in the main concourse remain operational 24/7.
- Station Timings :– This railway terminal remains open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, with train operations running round the clock.
How to Reach :–
- By Metro :– The easiest and most efficient way to reach is via the Delhi Metro. ‘Anand Vihar’ is an interchange station connecting both the Blue Line and the Pink Line. Upon exiting the metro station, you can directly walk into the railway station premises.
- By Bus :– Located right next to the railway station is the Anand Vihar Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT). It provides round-the-clock DTC buses for all corners of Delhi, alongside government and private interstate buses for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- By Road/Auto/Cab :– You can easily reach Anand Vihar from any part of Delhi-NCR via Ola, Uber, local e-rickshaws, or autos by taking National Highway 24 (NH-24) or Vikas Marg.
Photography Spots :–
- Main Station Building (Front Facade) :– The front look of the station is extremely spectacular at night when the grand building gets completely lit up.
- Foot Over Bridge (FOB) :– Capturing a wide-angle shot from the station’s massive foot over bridge offers an incredible bird’s-eye view of the platforms and stationed trains.
Local Food & Famous Markets :–
- Local Food :– Inside the station, there is a large IRCTC food court along with multiple food stalls serving hot samosas, kachoris, chole-bhature, and South Indian delicacies. Just outside the station, you can explore excellent street food options from nearby Vaishali and Kaushambi (such as momos, chaat, and kulhad chai).
- Famous Markets :– For shopping enthusiasts, Pacific Mall (Anand Vihar) is located right in the vicinity. Additionally, East Delhi’s famous Lakshmi Nagar Market and the Ghazipur wholesale market are situated just a short drive away.
Interesting Facts
- Multi-Modal Hub :– Anand Vihar is one of the unique stations in India that is seamlessly integrated with a massive bus terminal (ISBT) and two distinct metro lines (Blue and Pink).
- Green Station Initiative :– Built focusing heavily on eco-friendly standards, the terminal features dedicated waste management modules and utilizes solar power setups.
- Exclusively Long-Distance Trains :– This terminal was custom-designed primarily to handle long-distance express and superfast trains, successfully keeping local commuter rush to a minimum.
Important Questions and Answer:-
Question 1:- What is the difference between Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) and New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)?
Answer:- New Delhi Railway Station is located in Central Delhi and connects to all parts of India, whereas Anand Vihar Terminal is located in East Delhi and was specifically built to relieve traffic pressure for trains heading towards eastern states like UP, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Question 2:- Which is the nearest metro station to Anand Vihar Railway Station?
Answer:- The nearest metro station is the ‘Anand Vihar Metro Station‘ itself. The metro complex is directly connected to the railway station building for seamless pedestrian transition.
Question 3:- Is Cloak Room facility available at Anand Vihar Terminal?
Answer:- Yes, a 24/7 cloakroom facility is available at Anand Vihar Terminal for the convenience of passengers, where luggage can be securely stored against a nominal fee.
Author’s Thoughts
Visiting and traveling from Anand Vihar Terminal feels like witnessing the changing and modernizing face of Indian Railways from up close. Compared to the older, more congested stations of Delhi, its open layout, cleanliness, and systematic arrival-departure planning make the commuter experience significantly stress-free. The absolute highlight is the direct integration with the metro, removing the hassle of navigating external traffic. If you are planning a journey toward Eastern India, this station guarantees a world-class and comfortable transit experience.
“Anand Vihar Terminal is not just the beginning of a journey, but a living testament to modern Delhi’s speed and unmatched connectivity.”