Why the Month-Long Disruption?
Rail traffic in and out of Chandigarh will be significantly impacted by a 36-day power and traffic block scheduled from September 10 to October 15, 2026. This extended disruption is necessary to facilitate a major upgrade of the Chandigarh railway station,
a project being executed by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). Key works include the erection of a modern 'through-roof' structure over the platforms and the complex task of dismantling the old foot-over-bridge girders. To minimise the impact on overall train movement, the work has been strategically divided into three 12-day phases, with each phase targeting a different set of railway lines and platforms at the station.
Understanding the Impact: Cancellations and Short-Terminations
The headline figure of 54 trains 'skipping the city' primarily refers to services that will be 'short-terminated' or 'short-originated'. This means these trains will end or begin their journeys at Ambala Cantonment station instead of continuing to Chandigarh. Passengers booked on these services will need to arrange their own transport for the final leg of their journey between Ambala and Chandigarh. Prominent trains affected by this change include the Ajmer-Chandigarh Garib Rath and the Udaipur-Chandigarh Express. In addition to these changes, a total of 12 train services have been cancelled entirely for the duration of the block, affecting 442 individual trips. These include popular daily services like the Chandigarh-Amritsar Express and the Chandigarh-Firozepur Express, disrupting regional connectivity.
Ambala Becomes the New Hub
For the next month, Ambala Cantonment will effectively become the main interchange point for thousands of passengers. Those whose trains are now terminating at Ambala will have to de-board there and find alternative transport, such as buses or taxis, to reach Chandigarh. Similarly, passengers beginning their journey on a 'short-originating' service will need to travel from Chandigarh to Ambala to board their train. This will add significant time and potential cost to journeys, a critical factor for travellers to consider while planning their trips. Trains from cities like Ramnagar and Udaipur will be among those using Ambala as their temporary final stop.
Platform Changes for Shatabdi and Other Key Trains
Even for trains that continue to operate to and from Chandigarh, passengers should not expect business as usual. A total of 76 trains will have their platforms changed at various points during the 36-day block. This affects some of the most popular services. For instance, during the final phase from October 4 to 15, the New Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi Express (12011), which typically uses Platform 1, will be shifted to Platform 5. Its counterpart, the Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi (12012), will move from Platform 1 to Platform 3. Services like the Vande Bharat Express will also see platform reshuffles. Commuters accustomed to fixed platforms must now diligently check station display boards and announcements before every journey.
Relief Measures: Temporary Stops at Mohali
To somewhat ease the inconvenience caused by the widespread changes, the railway authorities have announced a key mitigating measure. Several long-distance express trains will be given temporary additional stops at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) station for the duration of the block. This is intended to provide an alternative boarding and de-boarding point for passengers in the Tricity area, potentially reducing the number of people who need to travel all the way to Ambala. Affected services gaining a temporary halt at Mohali include the Sambalpur-Jammu Tawi Express and the Dehradun-Amritsar Express.
