Why the Major Disruption?
Passengers traveling through Chandigarh are set to face considerable inconvenience for over a month. The disruption is due to a massive infrastructure upgrade being carried out by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). The Ambala Division of Northern
Railway has approved this 36-day block to allow for major reconstruction, including erecting a new station roof structure and dismantling an old foot-overbridge. This work is crucial for the long-term redevelopment of Chandigarh station but cannot be completed while the station is fully operational. To minimize the impact, the work has been divided into three 12-day phases, affecting different platforms and lines at different times.
Fully Cancelled Trains
A total of 12 train services will be completely cancelled for the entire duration of the block, which runs from September 10 to October 15. This will result in the cancellation of 442 individual trips. Passengers who have booked tickets on these trains are advised to make alternative arrangements. Key cancellations include services on the Delhi-Kalka, Ambala-Kalka, Chandigarh-Amritsar, and Chandigarh-Ferozepur routes. The specific train numbers affected by the full cancellation are: 14331/14332 Delhi-Kalka, 54531/54532 Ambala-Kalka, 14541/14542 Chandigarh-Amritsar, 14629/14630 Chandigarh-Ferozepur, 74645/74646 Ambala-Jalandhar City, and 74991/74992 Ambala-Delhi.
Short-Terminated and Diverted Services
Many trains will not complete their journey to Chandigarh and will instead be 'short-terminated' or will start their journey from a different station. Six major services will now operate from Ambala Cantonment. This includes trains like the Ajmer-Chandigarh and Udaipur-Chandigarh expresses, which will terminate at Ambala on specific dates. In addition, some trains will be diverted entirely, bypassing Chandigarh. For instance, the Lalkuan-Amritsar Express will be rerouted via Ambala-Sirhind-Sanehwal on October 3 and 10, skipping both Chandigarh and Mohali stations. Passengers booked on these trains will need to travel to or from alternate stations like Ambala or Mohali to continue their journey.
Changes at Mohali Station and Platform Shifts
To ease the pressure on Chandigarh station, some operational changes have been made at nearby stations. Eight long-distance trains will be given a temporary stop at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) station. This is intended to provide an alternative for passengers affected by the block. Furthermore, even for trains that will continue to operate from Chandigarh, there will be significant changes to platform allocations. Around 76 trains will see their platforms changed during the 36-day period, including popular services like the Vande Bharat Express and the Shatabdi Express. Passengers are strongly advised not to rely on pre-existing platform information and should check the display boards and listen for announcements upon reaching the station.
How to Check Your Train's Status
Given the scale and duration of these changes, it is absolutely essential for all passengers to verify their train's status before starting their journey. Do not assume your train is running on its normal schedule or from its usual platform. The most reliable way to get real-time information is through official Indian Railways channels. You can use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) website or mobile app to spot your train. Alternatively, you can call the Rail Madad helpline at number 139 for live updates on train running status, schedules, and cancellations. Checking online or via the app just before you leave home can save you from significant hassle and confusion at the station.
