It's just a hype that has been created around SS that it receives unprecedented priority over other trains. During regular runs (Pre-COVID), trains like Purushottam, Gorakdham, BSK etc used to arrive past 11:45 PM at Kanpur almost everyday and overtake SS somewhere along the way to arrive at Delhi before it.
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It was 12452 that used to enjoy a clear route and even overtake a few slow pacers like Bhrigu, Brahmaputra and other late runners.