The Reason For The Disruption
Chandigarh Railway Station is undergoing a massive redevelopment to transform it into a world-class facility with airport-like amenities. This Rs 462 crore project, handled by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), involves building new station buildings,
a 72-metre wide air concourse, and new foot overbridges. To complete the final, crucial phase of this upgrade—which includes erecting a large roof structure and dismantling an old foot overbridge—Northern Railway's Ambala Division has to shut down specific lines and platforms. This work cannot be done safely while the station is fully operational, necessitating a prolonged traffic block.
Key Dates and Phases
The disruption is scheduled for 36 days, from September 10 to October 15, 2026. To minimise the impact, the work has been divided into three 12-day phases, with each phase affecting different sets of tracks and platforms. The phases are: Phase 1 from September 10 to 21, Phase 2 from September 22 to October 3, and Phase 3 from October 4 to 15. Passengers should be aware that the specific trains affected may change depending on the phase, making it crucial to check their train's status throughout this entire period.
Fully Cancelled Trains
A significant number of trains have been fully cancelled for the entire duration of the block, affecting 442 individual trips. This will primarily impact passengers on routes connecting Chandigarh with Amritsar, Ferozepur, Kalka, and Delhi. Key services that will remain cancelled include the Chandigarh-Amritsar Express (14541/14542), the Chandigarh-Ferozepur Express (14629/14630), and the Delhi-Kalka service (14331/14332). Several passenger and MEMU trains, such as the Ambala-Kalka services, are also among the cancelled trains.
Diverted and Short-Terminated Trains
Many long-distance trains will be diverted to bypass Chandigarh completely, while others will be "short-terminated" or "short-originated" at nearby stations. This means trains that usually start or end at Chandigarh will now do so from Ambala Cantonment or SAS Nagar (Mohali). For example, six train pairs, including services from Rishikesh (15063/64) and Ajmer (12983/84), will now terminate at Ambala. Passengers booked on these trains will have to make their own arrangements to travel between Ambala and Chandigarh. To ease congestion, eight long-distance trains will also get a temporary stop at Mohali.
What Passengers Must Do Now
It is absolutely essential for anyone with a booking to verify their train's status before leaving home. Do not assume your train is running on its normal schedule or from its usual platform. The best way to get real-time information is through the official National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or website. You can also call the Rail Madad helpline at 139 for updates. If your train is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund. For e-tickets, this is typically processed automatically. For diverted or short-terminated journeys where you choose not to travel, you may need to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) online. Given the extensive changes, including shifts in platform numbers for major trains like the Shatabdi Express, checking for the latest updates is non-negotiable.
