Why the Major Disruption?
The massive disruption is necessary to facilitate the redevelopment of Chandigarh Railway Station into a world-class facility. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is undertaking this project at a cost of Rs 462 crore. The specific work scheduled
during this 36-day power and traffic block, from September 10 to October 15, involves erecting a new through-roof structure and dismantling the girders of the old foot-over-bridge (FOB). This complex engineering work cannot be safely completed while the station is fully operational. To manage the process, the Ambala Division of Northern Railway has divided the work into three 12-day phases, closing different sets of lines and platforms sequentially.
Navigating the Changes: Cancellations and Diversions
The headline figure of 54 refers to train trips that will be 'short-terminated' or 'short-originated', meaning they will not run to or from Chandigarh. Instead, these services will start or end their journeys at nearby Ambala Cantt station. This affects key services like the Ramnagar-Chandigarh Express and the Ajmer-Chandigarh Garib Rath on specific dates. Additionally, 12 train services are being cancelled altogether during the block period, resulting in the cancellation of 442 individual trips. These include routes connecting Chandigarh with Delhi, Kalka, Amritsar, and Ferozepur. A small number of trains will also be diverted entirely, bypassing Chandigarh and Mohali to run via Sirhind.
Ambala and Mohali: The Key Alternative Stations
For the duration of the block, Ambala Cantt will become the primary hub for many affected services. Passengers booked on trains that are short-terminated will need to deboard at Ambala and arrange for onward travel to Chandigarh, and vice-versa for originating journeys. This will inevitably add time and cost to the trip. To ease some of the pressure, Northern Railway has also designated temporary stops at SAS Nagar (Mohali) for eight long-distance trains, including the Amritsar-Dehradun service. This provides another option for passengers in the tri-city area to board or alight from their trains.
More Than Just Cancellations: Platform Shuffles
Even for trains that continue to operate from Chandigarh, passengers must remain vigilant. A total of 76 trains will have their platforms changed at various points during the 36-day period. This includes popular services like the Delhi-bound Shatabdi Express, the Vande Bharat Express, and the Howrah-Kalka Mail. For instance, during the final phase from October 4 to 15, the New Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi Express (12011) will shift from its usual Platform 1 to Platform 5. Commuters accustomed to fixed platforms will need to double-check information on the day of travel.
What Passengers Must Do
Given the scale of the disruption, planning ahead is crucial. Before leaving home, all passengers are strongly advised to verify their train's status, including its schedule, originating/terminating station, and platform number. The most reliable sources for this information are the official NTES app and the Rail Madad helpline (139). Do not rely on pre-existing schedules or platform habits. Additional railway staff will be deployed to guide passengers, but travellers should factor in extra time for their journey to and from the station to navigate the changes and potential crowding at alternative stations like Ambala.
