I travelled by 12302 in 1A in Sep-23. Yes the train has been slowed down and can be speeded up. They key challenge is NCR is bunching all its 130KMPH running trains between NDLS-MGS at 10-minute interval. If ER proposes to swap a slot with any of these trains and the same gets approved then train can have a better run from MGS to HWH. If i remember my observations. We were at Kanpur 15 mins before time. MGS arrived 25 mins before time. (I think thanks to DFC). Next day morning we were late at Parasnath but 15 mins before time at Dhanbad. And finally, 10 mins before time at Howrah.