Indian Railways has announced a significant maintenance project on the Ganga river bridge situated between Kanpur and Unnao. This repair work is scheduled to begin on April 2, 2026, and will continue for approximately 40 to 43 days. As a result, rail traffic on this busy route will be heavily impacted, with several trains facing cancellations, diversions, or short-terminations until May 13, 2026.
ℹ: Raxaul-Tirupati Weekly Express: Special train regularized with new numbers 17434 and 17433।
Why is the mega block being implemented on this route?
The primary objective of this project is to strengthen the structural integrity of the old railway bridge over the Ganga river. Under the supervision of DRM Sunil Kumar Verma, the railway will replace old sleepers with modern steel H-beams. Additionally, the maintenance includes changing old iron plates and tracks to ensure long-term safety for passengers. An 8-hour mega block will be active daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on the downline from Kanpur towards Lucknow. Once the work is finished, the speed limit for trains on this bridge is expected to increase to 110 kmph.
Which trains are affected by the 40-day repair work?
The block will lead to the complete cancellation of about 17 to 18 trains. Furthermore, the routes of 27 to 31 trains will be diverted, and the timings of 10 other trains will be revised. Passengers are advised to verify their train status via the official railway website or helpline before starting their journey. Those who have already booked tickets can claim a full refund or reschedule their trip.
| Train Name | Train Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jhansi-Lucknow MEMU | 64701/64702 | Cancelled |
| Kanpur-Rae Bareli Passenger | 54153/54154 | Cancelled |
| Prayagraj-Kanpur Passenger | 54101/54102 | Cancelled |
| Sitapur-Kanpur Passenger | 54325/54326 | Cancelled |
| Kanpur-Lucknow MEMU | 64212/64203/64214 | Cancelled |
| New Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi | 12004 | Diverted |
| Anand Vihar-Ayodhya Vande Bharat | 22426 | Diverted |
Apart from these, prominent trains like the Panvel-Gorakpur Express, Okha-Gorakhpur Express, and Yashwantpur-Gorakhpur Express will follow diverted routes. Some services like the Pune-Lucknow Express and Lokmanya Tilak Terminal-Lucknow Superfast will be short-terminated at Kanpur Central. Local passengers have requested the operation of MEMU trains up to Shuklaganj to ease the commute during this period.