Train passengers travelling through Madhya Pradesh must plan their journeys carefully as the West Central Railway and North Central Railway have announced major operational changes. These modifications are due to ongoing yard remodeling and the construction of a third rail line between Agasod and Bina. The infrastructure upgrade project spans from August 14 through October 15, 2026, and is executed in three phases: Phase 1 from August 14 to August 31, 2026, Phase 2 from September 1 to October 12, 2026, and Phase 3 from October 13 to October 15, 2026. Commuters can expect disruptions affecting nearly 87 trains, including cancellations, diversions, short-terminations, and service number updates.
Impact on Train Services and Cancellations
A total of 87 trains are impacted by the Bina yard remodeling project, with 16 trains fully cancelled and 48 services operating on diverted routes. Key cancellations include the Bhopal-Gwalior Express (12197) and Gwalior-Bhopal Express (12198) between October 1 and October 15. Similarly, the Gwalior-SMVT Bengaluru Express (11086) is cancelled on October 2 and 9, while its return service, the SMVT Bengaluru-Gwalior Express (11085), remains cancelled on October 4 and 11. Local commuters should note that the Lalitpur-Bina (64618) and Bina-Lalitpur (64617) MEMU trains are suspended from September 20 to September 26.
Diversions and Short-Terminations
Several popular long-distance and regional trains have been rerouted or cut short to accommodate the construction work. The Dhanbad-Bhopal Express (11632), Bhopal-Dhanbad Express (11631), Howrah-Bhopal Express (13025), and Bhopal-Howrah Express (13026) have been diverted to alternate routes. Furthermore, operational changes affect regional connectivity: the Kota-Bina MEMU (61633/61632) will terminate at Mungaoli, and the Bina-Bhopal MEMU (11606/11605) will only travel as far as Mandi Bamora station. In addition, service numbers for some popular routes have been revised permanently, with trains 01025/01026 updated to 11043/11044 for the Dadar-Ballia service, and 01027/01028 updated to 11047/11048 for the Dadar-Gorakhpur service.
Passenger Relief Measures and Advisory
To help stranded passengers and reduce inconvenience, railway authorities have implemented temporary two-minute halts at Malkhedi, Bhopal, Katni, and Katni South stations. Additionally, the Howrah-Bhopal Express has been granted a temporary halt at Ranchi Road station instead of Barkakana. Passengers are strongly advised to check their updated train schedules and verify train statuses through official railway enquiry channels before heading to the station.