Why the Disruption Is Happening
Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive 36-day power and traffic block at Chandigarh Railway Station, scheduled from September 10 to October 15. The disruption is necessary to facilitate a major upgrade of the station's infrastructure by the Rail Land
Development Authority (RLDA). The core tasks involve erecting a new 'balance through-roof' structure and dismantling the girders of the old foot-overbridge. This work is part of a broader effort to modernise the station for improved passenger experience and safety. While causing temporary inconvenience, these upgrades are crucial for long-term operational efficiency on one of the region's key railway hubs.
Key Dates and Phased Work
To minimise the impact on train services, the Ambala division has strategically divided the 36-day block into three 12-day phases. Each phase will target different railway lines and platforms, allowing parts of the station to remain operational. The first phase runs from September 10 to 21, affecting lines 6, 7, and 8. The second phase is from September 22 to October 3, focusing on lines 4 and 5. The final phase will take place from October 4 to 15, impacting lines 1, 2, and 3. This phased approach means passengers will experience different changes depending on their travel dates, including frequent changes to platform allocations.
Cancelled, Diverted, and Short-Terminated Trains
The impact on train services is extensive. While the headline mentions 54 trains, reports specify that 12 trains originating from Chandigarh and Kalka have been fully cancelled for the duration. These include major services like the Amritsar-Chandigarh-Amritsar Express and the Chandigarh-Firozepur-Chandigarh Express. More significantly, dozens of other train trips will be affected through short-termination or diversion. Many services that typically run to or from Chandigarh will now terminate or originate at Ambala Cantonment. This means passengers on trains like the Ajmer-Chandigarh Garib Rath and the Udaipur-Chandigarh Express will have to make their own travel arrangements for the Ambala-Chandigarh leg of their journey. To ease some of the burden, railways will provide temporary stops at SAS Nagar (Mohali) for select services.
Shatabdi Services and Platform Changes
Even premium trains are not immune to the disruption. While most Shatabdi Express services will continue to run, passengers should be alert to significant platform changes, especially during the final phase of the block. From October 4 to October 15, the New Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi Express (12011), which normally uses Platform 1 at Chandigarh, will be shifted to Platform 5. Similarly, the return Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi (12012) will move from Platform 1 to Platform 3. In total, platform changes are expected for at least 20 trains in the first phase, 17 in the second, and a staggering 39 in the final phase, making it essential for travellers to verify platform details on the day of their journey.
Essential Advice for Passengers
For anyone planning to travel by rail via Chandigarh, Ambala, or Mohali between September 10 and October 15, proactive planning is crucial. Indian Railways has strongly advised all passengers to verify the latest status of their trains before starting their journey. Assuming a normal schedule could lead to missed trains or significant delays. The most reliable sources for real-time information are the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) mobile app and website. Passengers can also use the Rail Madad helpline at 139 or check with station enquiry counters for the most current updates on cancellations, diversions, timings, and platform numbers. Those with tickets on cancelled trains are entitled to a full refund.
