Indian Railways has announced the temporary cancellation of 26 passenger and express trains to facilitate essential infrastructure development. The disruptions are scheduled to take place between September 24 and October 3, 2026, to allow for non-interlocking work required for the construction of a new 5th rail line between Bandamunda (A-Cabin) and Rourkela in the Chakradharpur Division. Passengers are advised to plan their travel accordingly as these works will significantly impact regional connectivity.
- Total cancellations: 13 pairs (26 trains) of express and passenger services.
- Affected dates: September 24 to October 3, 2026.
- Reason: Non-interlocking work for the new 5th line between Bandamunda and Rourkela.
- Refund policy: Full refunds available for all passengers holding tickets on cancelled services.
Details of Impacted Services
The construction project necessitates the suspension of several key routes to ensure passenger safety during the technical upgrades. Among the major services impacted are the 15027/15028 Gorakhpur-Sambalpur Express, 18451/18452 Puri-Hatia Tapaswini Express, 18309/18310 Sambalpur-Jammu Tawi Express, 18641/18642 Hatia-Durg Express, 18105/18106 Rourkela-Jaynagar Express, and the 18175/18176 Tatanagar-Hatia Express. Furthermore, the 58659/58660 Hatia-Rourkela Passenger service will also remain suspended during this window. In addition to these cancellations, the Tapaswini Express is scheduled to run with a delay of one hour due to the ongoing operational adjustments.
Advice for Passengers
Railway authorities have urged commuters to check the current status of their specific train before heading to the station to avoid last-minute inconvenience. While the cancellations are necessary for long-term capacity augmentation and infrastructure growth, the Railways has ensured that passengers holding tickets for the affected trains will be eligible for a full refund. Travelers are encouraged to utilize the official IRCTC website or the NTES app to confirm train schedules, as operational updates may be subject to change based on the progress of the non-interlocking work.