The South Eastern Railway has announced a significant disruption to train services across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha as part of a major infrastructure drive. The Chakradharpur Division will undertake non-interlocking (NI) and developmental works to facilitate the commissioning of the fifth railway line between Bondamunda ‘A’ Cabin and Rourkela. These essential upgrades, which also include track renewals between the Chakradharpur-Rourkela and Bondamunda-Barsuan sections, are scheduled to take place from September 25 through October 19, 2026.
Key details of the service disruptions include:
• Phase 1 (Sept 25 – Oct 4): 10 pairs of trains cancelled and 6 trains diverted.
• Phase 2 (Oct 4 – Oct 19): 44 trains face full cancellation, with additional services rescheduled or diverted.
• Major Affected Routes: Bilaspur-Buxar Weekly Superfast, South Bihar Express, and Maurya Express.
• Diversions: Long-distance services including the New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani and the Puri-Yog Nagari Rishikesh Utkal Express will be rerouted.
Impact on Passenger Services
While the primary focus of these works is the fifth line commissioning, the disruption will also affect various MEMU and local passenger services across the division. Railway officials have emphasized that these upgrades are critical for future capacity enhancement, aiming to modernize the infrastructure to handle higher traffic volumes more efficiently in the long run.
Travel Advisory for Passengers
Given the scale of these cancellations and diversions, passengers are strongly advised to verify the status of their specific train before heading to the station. Travelers can check the official IRCTC website or the NTES mobile application for real-time updates. The South Eastern Railway regrets the inconvenience caused by these essential developmental works, which are part of a broader mandate to strengthen the railway network’s safety and operational efficiency in the region. Passengers holding confirmed tickets for cancelled trains are entitled to a full refund as per existing railway norms.