Indian Railways: Train cancellations in April and new ticket refund rules, check details
Indian Railways has announced a series of major updates for passengers traveling in April 2026, ranging from significant infrastructure work to updated ticketing policies. Maintenance activities and the construction of Railway Under Bridges (RUB) have led to several train cancellations and route diversions, particularly affecting the Jodhpur-Hisar section. Passengers are advised to verify their train status before heading to the station to avoid inconvenience.
ℹ: Mokama-Kiul MEMU cancelled and Patna-Dhanbad Express route diverted on April 11।
What are the new ticket cancellation and boarding rules?
Effective from April 2026, Indian Railways has introduced a phased implementation of stricter ticket cancellation rules. A full refund, excluding a minimum flat charge, is now only available for cancellations made more than 72 hours before departure. If a ticket is canceled between 24 and 72 hours, a 25% fare deduction applies, increasing to 50% for cancellations between 8 and 24 hours. No refund will be provided for cancellations made less than 8 hours before the scheduled departure.
On a positive note, passengers now enjoy greater flexibility with boarding point changes. You can change your boarding station up to 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure through the IRCTC website or reservation counters. This is a significant improvement over the previous system where changes had to be made before the final chart preparation.
Train cancellations on Jodhpur-Hisar and other routes
The construction of a Railway Under Bridge at the Medta Road station yard has caused disruptions on the Jodhpur-Phulera rail section. Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, confirmed that rail traffic will remain affected due to this essential work. Detailed cancellations for the Jodhpur-Hisar route include the following:
| Train Number | Train Name | Date | Impact Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14891 | Jodhpur-Hisar Express | April 14, 2026 | Partially canceled (Runs only up to Ratangarh) |
| 14892 | Hisar-Jodhpur Express | April 15, 2026 | Starts from Ratangarh (Canceled between Hisar-Ratangarh) |
| 14891 | Jodhpur-Hisar Express | May 24, 2026 | Fully Canceled |
| 14892 | Hisar-Jodhpur Express | May 25, 2026 | Fully Canceled |
| 14721 | Jodhpur-Bathinda Express | April 2026 | Partially canceled or diverted |
Safety upgrades and future train projects
The Ministry of Railways is prioritizing safety and technology with an investment of ₹1,364 crore for the Kavach collision avoidance system and signaling upgrades. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also introduced the ‘Reform Express’ initiative to improve transparency and construction quality. Under this vision, the Railway Board has approved the development of next-generation trainsets capable of reaching speeds of 220 kmph, which will be faster than the current Vande Bharat trains. Furthermore, AI-based track monitoring and expanded video surveillance at 1,800 stations are being rolled out to enhance overall security.