Why The Major Disruption?
Indian Railways has announced a significant 36-day traffic and power block at Chandigarh Railway Station, scheduled from September 10 to October 15. This extensive shutdown is necessary to facilitate major infrastructure upgrades as part of the station's
redevelopment. The work, overseen by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and executed by Northern Railway's Ambala Division, includes erecting a new through-roof structure and dismantling the girders of the old foot-overbridge. This long-planned project aims to modernise the station but requires a phased closure of railway lines and platforms, making it the longest such disruption at the station in recent memory.
The 36-Day Work Plan
To manage the massive undertaking while keeping parts of the station operational, the work has been divided into three 12-day phases. Each phase will target different railway lines and platforms. The first phase, from September 10 to 21, will affect Lines 6, 7, and 8. The second phase, running from September 22 to October 3, will focus on Lines 4 and 5. The final phase, from October 4 to 15, will involve work on Lines 1, 2, and 3. This phased approach means the nature and extent of disruptions, including platform changes, will vary throughout the 36-day period.
Which Trains Are Affected?
The disruption is extensive, affecting a total of 442 individual train trips over the 36-day period. Twelve train services have been cancelled entirely for the duration of the block. Key cancellations include the Amritsar-Chandigarh Express (14541/14542), the Chandigarh-Ferozepur Express (14629/14630), and daily passenger services on the Ambala-Kalka and Delhi-Kalka routes. Beyond cancellations, the headline figure of 54 affected services primarily refers to train trips that will be "short-terminated" or "short-originated." This means that instead of running to or from Chandigarh, these trains will now begin or end their journeys at Ambala Cantt station. Passengers booked on these services will need to arrange their own transport for the Ambala-Chandigarh leg of their journey.
Ambala and Mohali: The Key Alternatives
With Chandigarh station partially closed, Ambala Cantt and SAS Nagar (Mohali) will become crucial alternative hubs. Six long-distance train services will now originate from or terminate at Ambala Cantt. This list includes popular trains like the Ajmer-Chandigarh Garib Rath (12983/12984) and the Udaipur-Chandigarh Express (20989/20990) on specific dates. To ease the pressure, eight other trains will be given a temporary halt at Mohali station. Travellers who would normally board at Chandigarh must now make their way to these alternative stations, adding extra time and cost to their journeys.
What Should Travellers Do?
For anyone planning to travel by rail to, from, or through Chandigarh between September 10 and October 15, careful planning is essential. The most important step is to verify the status of your train before leaving for the station. Check the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) app or website for the most up-to-date information on cancellations, diversions, and platform changes. Platform numbers for many trains, including the Shatabdi Express services, will be changed during the block, particularly in the final phase. Passengers whose trains have been short-terminated at Ambala are responsible for their own travel between Ambala and Chandigarh. Be prepared for last-minute changes and allow for extra travel time.
