Why Your Train Schedule is Changing
Indian Railways is currently executing a critical infrastructure project on the Bina-Agasod section in Madhya Pradesh, a key link for trains moving between Delhi, Bhopal, and Chennai. The work involves connecting a new third railway line and remodelling
the station yards at both Bina and Agasod. This process, which includes complex pre-non-interlocking and non-interlocking phases, is essential for increasing the route's capacity and improving the future punctuality and reliability of train services. However, to ensure operational safety during this period, which lasts until mid-October 2026, a power and traffic block is necessary. This has resulted in the cancellation, diversion, or short-termination of numerous train services.
The 17 Diverted Long-Distance Trains
A significant number of long-distance express trains will be rerouted to bypass the work zone on specific dates in October. Passengers holding tickets for these 17 services should take careful note of the new routes. For example, the Rewanchal Express (12185) between Rewa and Rani Kamalapati will run via Katni, Jabalpur, and Itarsi from October 8 to 14. Similarly, the Bhopal-Singrauli Express (22165) and its return service (22166) will be diverted via Itarsi and Jabalpur on several dates between October 9 and 14. Other affected services include the Veraval-Jabalpur Express (11465/11466), Howrah-Bhopal Express (13025/13026), and the Bhopal-Dhanbad Express (11631/11632), all of which will take longer, alternative routes. Even the Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana Express (22181) faces a one-day diversion on October 8.
Fully Cancelled Train Services
Beyond diversions, several popular trains have been fully cancelled for the duration of the work. This includes major intercity and MEMU services that thousands of daily commuters rely on. The Bhopal-Gwalior Intercity (12197) and Gwalior-Bhopal Intercity (12198) will not run from October 1 to October 15. The Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Shridham Express (12192/12191) is cancelled from late September to mid-October. Multiple MEMU services are also suspended, including four services between Bina and Ruthiyai (61611, 61612, 61625, 61626) from September 30 to October 16. Additionally, the Rani Kamalapati-Santragachi Humsafar Express (22169/22170) and the Bhopal-Khajuraho Mahamana Express (22163/22164) are cancelled on specific dates in mid-October.
Partially Cancelled and Rescheduled Trains
Some trains are not fully cancelled but will be short-terminated or will originate from different stations. From September 29 to October 15, the Katni-Bina MEMU (11602) will terminate at Khurai instead of Bina. Consequently, the Bina-Katni MEMU (11601) will originate from Khurai from September 30 to October 16. On October 15, the high-profile New Delhi-Rani Kamalapati Shatabdi is scheduled to be short-terminated at Santalpur. In another adjustment, passenger services like the Gwalior-Bina Express (51884) will bypass Bina station entirely, being extended to or originating from Malkhedi between September 20 and October 16. These changes are crucial for passengers planning travel to or from Bina itself.
Advice for Affected Passengers
With dozens of services affected over nearly a month, passengers are strongly advised to verify their train's status before starting their journey. You can check for the latest updates on cancellations and diversions using the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) app or its official website. The railway helpline, 139, is another reliable source for real-time information. Given the scale of the disruptions, it is wise to reconfirm your train's schedule, route, and platform information, especially if your travel dates fall between late September and mid-October 2026. This temporary inconvenience is part of a larger project to enhance the rail network's capacity, which aims to improve train speeds and reduce congestion in the long run.
