Why the Major Disruption?
The significant changes to train schedules are due to a major 36-day power and traffic block at the Chandigarh station, scheduled from September 10 to October 15. This shutdown is necessary for the Ambala Division of Northern Railway to undertake crucial
infrastructure upgrades. The work involves erecting a new through-roof structure and dismantling the old foot-over-bridge (FOB) as part of the station's comprehensive redevelopment. To minimize the impact, the work is being carried out in three 12-day phases, with different sets of railway lines and platforms being closed sequentially.
Duration and Scale of Impact
The disruption is scheduled for 36 days, starting from September 10 and concluding on October 15. During this period, 54 train trips will not stop at Chandigarh. Instead, these services will either begin or end their journeys at Ambala Cantonment station. This means passengers intending to travel to or from Chandigarh on these affected services will need to arrange alternative transport for the journey between Chandigarh and Ambala. In addition to the diversions, 12 train services will be cancelled entirely throughout the block, resulting in 442 individual trip cancellations. Commuters should also be aware of frequent changes to platform numbers for many other operational trains, including popular services like the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat expresses.
Step 1: Check Your Train Status Online
The most reliable way to check if your train is affected is by using the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), which is the official Indian Railways system for live train tracking. You can access NTES through its website or by downloading the NTES mobile app. To check your train, you will need to enter its five-digit number or name. The system will provide the most current information, including its real-time location, any delays, and whether it has been cancelled, diverted, or short-terminated. It will also show the train's expected arrival and departure times at all stations along its route.
Step 2: Use the Rail Madad Helpline 139
For those who prefer not to use an app or website, Indian Railways operates a single, universal helpline number: 139. This service, known as Rail Madad, is available nationwide in twelve languages and can be accessed from any mobile phone, including non-smartphones. By calling 139 and following the instructions on the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), you can get information on PNR status, train arrivals and departures, cancellations, and more. For specific enquiries, you can press '2' for the enquiry sub-menu or press '*' to speak directly with a call centre executive for assistance.
What If Your Train Is Affected?
If you discover your train is short-terminated at Ambala, you will need to plan for additional travel by road to reach Chandigarh. To ease some of the passenger load, Railways has announced temporary additional stops at Mohali (SAS Nagar) for several long-distance trains. It is crucial to verify if your train has an alternative stop that might be more convenient. If your train is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund. For tickets booked online via IRCTC, the cancellation is typically processed automatically, and the refund is credited back to the source account. For counter tickets, you will need to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) at a station. Always confirm the latest status before leaving home to avoid inconvenience.
