Why the Major Disruption?
This large-scale disruption is due to a major infrastructure upgrade at the Chandigarh railway station. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and Northern Railway's Ambala Division are undertaking a 36-day power and traffic block from September 10
to October 15. This essential work involves erecting a new through-roof structure and dismantling the old foot-over-bridge girders. While the long-term goal is a modernised, more efficient station, the short-term impact is significant, affecting platforms and train movements in three phases over the 36-day period.
Which Trains Are Affected?
The term “54 services” refers to specific train trips that will be short-terminated or will short-originate, meaning they won't run the full Chandigarh leg of their journey. In total, 12 train services are cancelled for the entire period, leading to 442 affected individual trips. Key affected services include the Chandigarh-Amritsar Express, Chandigarh-Ferozepur Express, and several Kalka-Ambala and Kalka-Delhi services. Additionally, popular trains like the Ajmer-Chandigarh Garib Rath and the Udaipur-Chandigarh Express will be short-terminated at Ambala on specific dates. Even premier trains like the Shatabdi Express will see platform changes during the final phase of the block.
Ambala Cantt: Your Primary Alternative Hub
For the duration of the block, Ambala Cantonment (Ambala Cantt) station will become the main alternative hub for travellers. Many of the affected trains that would normally go to Chandigarh will now start or end their journeys at Ambala. This means if you are booked on one of these services to Chandigarh, you will likely need to deboard at Ambala Cantt. Conversely, if your journey was scheduled to start from Chandigarh on an affected train, you will now need to travel to Ambala Cantt to board it.
How to Get Between Ambala and Chandigarh
The distance between Ambala Cantt and Chandigarh is approximately 45-50 kilometres. Thankfully, there are several reliable options to cover this distance. Regular bus services operated by HRTC and other state transport undertakings are a cost-effective choice, with the journey taking about an hour to an hour and a half. Taxis and app-based cab services like Uber are also readily available, offering a quicker journey of around one hour, depending on traffic. For those who still prefer rail, there are hourly local trains between the two cities, with a travel time of just 35-45 minutes, though their frequency might be affected by the ongoing work.
Consider Mohali and Check for Diversions
To ease the pressure, Railways has designated Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) as another alternative. Some trains will get a temporary stop at Mohali, while others may originate or terminate there instead of Chandigarh. It is a viable option for those living closer to that side of the tricity. Furthermore, a couple of train services are being diverted entirely via Sirhind, skipping both Chandigarh and Mohali on certain dates. This makes it absolutely essential for all passengers to verify the latest information for their specific train number before starting their journey.
Key Tips for Hassle-Free Travel
To navigate this period of disruption smoothly, planning is everything. First, always check your train’s live status using the NTES app or by calling the Rail Madad helpline at 139 before you leave for the station. Assume that your scheduled platform may have changed. Second, factor in extra travel time, especially if you need to commute between Chandigarh and Ambala Cantt to catch your train. Finally, if you are deboarding at Ambala, try to book your onward taxi or check bus timings in advance to avoid last-minute rush and uncertainty.
