Why the Major Disruption?
Commuters relying on the Chandigarh railway station are set for a period of significant inconvenience. The Northern Railway's Ambala Division has announced a 36-day power and traffic block scheduled from September 10 to October 15, 2026. This is being
done to facilitate a major upgrade of the station by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). The core tasks include erecting a new 'through-roof' structure and dismantling the girders of the old foot-over-bridge (FOB). This complex engineering work cannot be performed while the station is fully operational, necessitating phased closures of different platforms and lines. This is reported to be the longest such disruption at the station in recent memory.
Timeline and Affected Platforms
The 36-day block is divided into three 12-day phases to minimise the impact. During each phase, specific lines and platforms will be closed for work. The first phase runs from September 10 to 21, affecting lines 6 and 7, and Platform 5 and 6. The second phase, from September 22 to October 3, will impact lines 4 and 5, which correspond to Platforms 3 and 4. The final phase is from October 4 to 15, shutting down lines 1, 2, and 3, which includes the busy Platform 2. Passengers should be aware that even trains that are running may depart from different platforms than usual. For instance, 76 trains will use different platforms during this period, including popular services like the Shatabdi Express and Vande Bharat Express.
Key Trains Cancelled or Diverted
The headline figure of '54 train services' primarily refers to train trips that will be 'short-terminated' or 'short-originated' at Ambala Cantt instead of Chandigarh. This means passengers on these services will have to make their own arrangements for the journey between Chandigarh and Ambala. Key services affected by this change include the Ajmer-Chandigarh Garib Rath (12983/84) and the Udaipur-Chandigarh Express (20989/90) on specific dates. In addition, 12 train services will be cancelled entirely for the duration of the block, resulting in 442 cancelled individual trips. These include the daily Delhi-Kalka Express (14331/32), Chandigarh-Amritsar Express (14541/42), and Chandigarh-Ferozepur Express (14629/30).
Your Guide to Ticket Refunds
If your train is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund. For tickets booked online via IRCTC, the refund is typically processed automatically to the source account. For counter tickets, you must surrender the ticket at a reservation counter. If your train is diverted and does not touch your boarding or destination station, you can also claim a full refund. To do this, you must file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR). For e-tickets, this can be done online through your IRCTC account under 'My Transactions'. It is crucial to file the TDR within 72 hours of the train's scheduled departure from your station to be eligible for the refund.
Alternative Travel Options
With many trains terminating at Ambala Cantt, passengers will need to find alternative ways to complete their journey to or from Chandigarh. The most direct option is by road. Regular bus services operate between Ambala and Chandigarh's Inter State Bus Terminals (ISBT). Taxis and app-based cab services are also readily available for the approximately 50-kilometre trip, though demand and prices may be higher than usual. Some long-distance trains have been given a temporary stop at SAS Nagar (Mohali) to ease the pressure on Chandigarh, so check if this is a viable option for your journey. For longer routes, it may be worthwhile to check for flights from Chandigarh Airport as an alternative to the disrupted train network.
How to Stay Officially Updated
Given the phased nature of the block and the large number of affected trains, checking your train's status before leaving home is essential. Do not assume your service is running as scheduled. The most reliable sources for real-time information are provided by Indian Railways itself. Passengers are strongly advised to use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or website. You can also call the Rail Madad helpline at 139 for live updates. Station enquiry counters and official announcements at Chandigarh, Ambala Cantt, and SAS Nagar (Mohali) will provide the most current information on platform changes, delays, and cancellations.
