Indian Railways cancels 16 trains and diverts 48 others for infrastructure upgrade works

The Indian Railways has announced significant operational disruptions, canceling 16 trains and diverting 48 others due to ongoing infrastructure and technical maintenance across various railway zones. The adjustments are scheduled to impact rail services between September and October 15. Primary causes include developmental work at the Bina station, specifically the connection of the Agasod-Bina third rail line and yard construction. This project will affect services between September 20 and October 16. Officials estimate that these changes will impact approximately 400 train journeys and roughly 3,000 berths, posing challenges for passengers during the busy festive season. Reporter Chanchal Mukherjee highlighted the significant inconvenience these last-minute changes present to travelers. In addition to these nationwide disruptions, the Railway has implemented specific regional measures. Due to remodeling work at Surat station in the Western Railway zone, the Bandra Terminus-Ajmer Express (train numbers 20996/20995) will temporarily stop at Udhna station instead of Surat from August 29 through November 1, 2026. Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek noted this change is necessary to ensure passenger safety during the construction period. Furthermore, the Faridabad railway station is undergoing a 45-day renovation, resulting in the cancellation of several EMU trains and the suspension of temporary halts for certain express trains from September 1 to October 15. This is due to required night-time power and traffic blocks. In the Sealdah Division, Divisional Railway Manager Rajiv Saxena announced a seven-hour traffic block on August 30 for track maintenance, leading to the cancellation of five suburban train services. To manage increased passenger volume, the Railway also introduced additional coaches on five trains operating on various routes from August 29 to September 4, 2026.

Key Highlights of Train Cancellations and Diversions

• 16 trains are canceled and 48 trains are diverted due to infrastructure and maintenance work.
• Bina station yard construction impacts services between September 20 and October 16, affecting 400 journeys and 3,000 berths.
• Bandra Terminus-Ajmer Express (20996/20995) will halt at Udhna instead of Surat from August 29 to November 1, 2026.
• Faridabad station renovation causes EMU cancellations and temporary halt suspensions from September 1 to October 15.
• Sealdah Division experienced a 7-hour block on August 30, canceling five suburban services.

Regional Updates and Passenger Relief Measures

Indian Railways is undertaking massive infrastructural developments to improve long-term punctuality, safety, and capacity across the network. However, these vital upgrades often result in temporary inconveniences for daily commuters and long-distance passengers alike. At Surat station, remodeling efforts require the Bandra Terminus-Ajmer Express (train numbers 20996/20995) to skip its regular Surat halt and temporarily terminate or originate at Udhna station until November 2026, a step emphasized by Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek to prioritize passenger safety. Similarly, passengers traveling through Faridabad must plan around a 45-day station renovation that triggers nighttime power blocks, affecting local EMU schedules and select express halts through mid-October. In Eastern India, the Sealdah Division recently enforced a strategic seven-hour traffic block on August 30 for essential track maintenance, leading to the cancellation of five suburban train services. To offset these disruptions and accommodate the festive rush, the national transporter has proactively attached additional coaches on five trains across various routes from August 29 to September 4, 2026. Passengers are strongly advised to check their updated train schedules and PNR statuses before heading to the railway stations.