22 Trains Cancelled! Major Disruptions in Bandamunda-Rourkela Section
The Chakradharpur Rail Division of the South Eastern Railway has announced a massive overhaul of train services, leading to significant disruptions for commuters. To facilitate critical infrastructure upgrades, several trains will be cancelled, rescheduled, or diverted between September 25 and October 2, 2026.
The Goal: Commissioning the 5th Railway Line
This scheduled disruption is necessary for the commissioning of a 5th railway line between the Bandamunda 'A' Cabin and the Rourkela section. The project involves essential non-interlocking (NI) work at the Bandamunda 'D' Cabin. Once completed, this upgrade is designed to boost operational efficiency, increase freight capacity, and alleviate heavy congestion in an industrial corridor that serves the Rourkela Steel Plant and the SAIL mining complex.
Massive Impact on Train Schedules
The planned infrastructure work will have a widespread impact on the current timetable. Passengers should prepare for the following changes:
- Total Cancellations: A total of 22 trains, encompassing 37 individual services, will be cancelled during the work period.
- Rescheduling: Three specific trains will have their departure or arrival timings altered.
- Route Diversions: Two major express services will be diverted from their usual paths.
Critical Diversion Alerts
If you are traveling on the following dates, please note the revised routes for these key services:
- New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express (20818): On September 27, 2026, this train will be diverted via the Gomoh-Adra-Hijli-Bhadrak-Cuttack route.
- Puri-Yog Nagari Rishikesh Utkal Express (18477): On September 30, 2026, this service will be rerouted via Cuttack-Sambalpur City-Jharsuguda Road-Ib.
Modernizing the Industrial Corridor
These upgrades are part of a larger vision to modernize the Indian Railway network. A significant ₹135 crore rail flyover project, covering 4.59 kilometers from Bondamunda 'A' Cabin to Bondamunda Link 'B' Cabin, was recently approved. This massive investment is expected to manage an additional 8 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of freight traffic, providing much-needed relief to the vital Rourkela-Bondamunda industrial region.