Indian Railways cancels and diverts multiple trains due to floods and engineering works
Railway operations across India face significant disruptions as of September 7, 2026, driven by flooding in Bihar and scheduled engineering works in other divisions. Passengers planning journeys across affected zones are advised to check their schedules thoroughly before heading to stations as numerous services remain impacted.
- Patna-Gaya Section Disruptions: Rising waters of the Punpun River have halted train movement on the down line since September 4.
- Cancellations and Diversions: Ten MEMU trains are cancelled and six passenger trains are diverted in Bihar.
- Infrastructure Blocks: South Eastern Railway and Central Railway have announced mega blocks for track maintenance and third-line commissioning.
Flood Disruption on the Patna-Gaya Section
In the East Central Railway zone, rising water levels of the Punpun River have led to critical issues on the Patna-Gaya section. According to ECR Chief Public Relations Officer Saraswati Chandra, the water level at Bridge No. 21 between Punpun and Parsa Bazaar stations has reached the girders, forcing the engineering department to suspend train movement on the 'down line' since 8:10 pm on September 4, 2026. As a result, 10 MEMU trains on the Patna-Gaya section have been cancelled. Additionally, six passenger trains have been diverted, including the 15137 Rajgir – Banaras Express, which is now operating via the Patna Junction – Ara – Buxar – Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction route instead of its regular path. This marks the third consecutive day of service interruptions in the region.
Engineering Blocks and Infrastructure Upgrades
Beyond flood-related issues, several rail divisions have initiated infrastructure projects resulting in further service changes. The South Eastern Railway's Adra Division has implemented a rolling block from September 7 to September 13, 2026, leading to the complete cancellation of eight trains and the partial cancellation or short termination of another eight. Meanwhile, the Pune Rail Division of Central Railway has announced a 15-day mega block starting September 19, 2026, and concluding October 4, 2026. This project, intended to facilitate the commissioning of a third line between Hadapsar and Ghorpadi and yard remodeling, will impact 67 services in total, resulting in the cancellation of 42 trains—including the Siddheshwar, Indrayani, and Deccan Express—and the diversion of 25 trains. Railway officials emphasized that these measures are essential for long-term improvements in speed and capacity.