Railways cancel and reschedule trains ahead of Delhi demonstration

Indian Railways cancelled and rescheduled numerous mail and express train services connecting the national capital with Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, and other regions on Friday, responding to anticipated severe road congestion ahead of a planned demonstration in central Delhi. The restrictions affect services scheduled to operate through New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.

The sweeping schedule changes follow administrative advisories warning of heavy traffic bottlenecks and road disruptions across central corridors. Railway authorities implemented the alterations to manage passenger movement and operational constraints expected during the demonstration called by political and student organisations demanding the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Several prominent long-distance services originating from Uttar Pradesh, including the Prayagraj Express, Humsafar Express, and the Kanpur Central-New Delhi Shram Shakti Express, faced cancellation under orders issued by the North Central, Northern, and North Eastern railway zones. The cancellations apply to select trains scheduled to reach Delhi between early morning and afternoon hours.

Services connecting Mumbai and western regions to the capital experienced direct disruptions. Western Railway rescheduled the Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and the Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express by five hours. Additional services from Bandra Terminus, Indore, and Dr Ambedkar Nagar were cancelled entirely or short-terminated.

The adjustments correspond with heightened security measures deployed across the national capital, where thousands of personnel have been stationed and transit entry points restricted. Local authorities anticipated heavy crowding near key administrative zones as demonstrators attempt to gather despite denied permission for the assembly at Jantar Mantar.

The Supreme Court intervened on Friday afternoon, directing the Centre to ensure public transport services are not subjected to a complete prohibition. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that security measures must adhere to the principle of proportionality to prevent undue hardship to daily commuters and ordinary citizens travelling into the capital.

Railway officials advised passengers holding tickets for affected routes to verify updated schedules through official helpline numbers and ticketing portals before commencing their journeys. Refund procedures have been activated for travellers whose trains were cancelled at their originating stations.