Terminal vs terminus: Why Anand Vihar is a terminal and CSMT a terminus

Ever wondered why it's Anand Vihar Terminal but Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus? Here's what 'terminal' and 'terminus' mean in Indian Railways and why the two names are often used interchangeably.Terminal and terminus often confuse railway passengers. Here's what the two terms mean, why they are largely interchangeable, and why stations like Anand Vihar and CSMT have different names. (Screengrab)If you've ever wondered why Delhi has Anand Vihar Terminal while Mumbai has Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), you're not alone. The different names make it seem as though they serve different purposes, but in railway terminology, they mean almost the same thing. The words terminal and terminus are often used interchangeably by Indian Railways, and both describe stations where a train route begins or ends rather than passing through.TERMINAL VS TERMINUSThere is no major operational difference between a terminal and a terminus.Both refer to railway stations located at the end of a railway line, where trains start or finish their journeys. The tracks typically end at the station instead of continuing beyond it. The only real difference is linguistic, "terminus" is the traditional Latin-derived word, while "terminal" is its modern English equivalent.WHY IS IT CALLED ANAND VIHAR TERMINAL?Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) in Delhi is one of the capital's major long-distance railway stations. It was developed to ease congestion at New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations by handling trains originating and terminating there. Although railway tracks exist nearby, the terminal itself is designed as an end point for the trains that originate and terminate at ANVT.WHY IS CSMT CALLED A TERMINUS?Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) carries the older naming convention. Originally known as Victoria Terminus, the station retained the word "terminus" even after it was renamed. Today, it remains one of India's busiest railway stations and serves as the headquarters of Central Railway. ALSO READ: Western Railway suspends trains as rising water disrupts Mumbai-Ahmedabad routeDOES THE NAME CHANGE HOW THE STATION WORKS?Not really.Whether a station is called a terminal or a terminus, its role is essentially the same, it serves as the end point for train services on a route. The choice of name is largely historical or administrative rather than functional.So, the next time you book a ticket to Anand Vihar Terminal or CSMT, remember that the two names describe the same concept. One uses a modern English term, while the other retains the older railway tradition.- EndsPublished By: vaishnavi parasharPublished On: Jul 28, 2026 13:01 IST