Winter has once again descended upon India, cloaking much of the country in a thick, persistent fog that refuses to lift, especially over the northern regions. As fog engulfs various states, visibility has dropped significantly. For the Indian Railways, this has become a major challenge, with several trains being cancelled or delayed because of the hazardous travel conditions.
A Wave Of Cancellations
Travelers planning to traverse the country by train are facing significant disruptions. The Indian Railways announced the cancellation of over 25 trains on January 6, 2025, with several services cancelled through to January 10, 2025. This decision has left many passengers stranded and has sparked a wave of anxiety among commuters who rely heavily on these services.
Which Trains Are Affected?
- Bhivani Junction to Rewari Junction (Train no. 54787)
- Pathankot to Delhi (Train no. 22430)
- Delhi to Pathankot (Train no. 22429)
- New Delhi to Amritsar (Train no. 12497)
- Amritsar to New Delhi (Train no. 12498)
- Delhi to Amritsar (Train no. 12459)
- Delhi to Jalandhar (Train no. 14681)
- Amritsar Junction to Haridwar (Train no. 12054)
- Haridwar to Amritsar (Train no. 12053)
- Gorakhpur to Amritsar (Train no. 22423)
- Jammu Tawi to Barmer (Train no. 14662)
- Barmer to Jammu Tawi (Train no. 14661)
- Chandigarh to Amritsar (Train no. 12411)
- Amritsar to Chandigarh (Train no. 12412)
- New Delhi to Lohian Khas (Train no. 22479)
- Lohian Khas Junction to New Delhi (Train no. 22480)
- Rishikesh to Katra (Train no. 14609)
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Rishikesh (Train no. 14610)
- Amritsar to Dehradun (Train no. 14632)
- Chapra to Gorakhpur (Train no. 55055) – January 6 to 10
- Gorakhpur Cantt to Siwan (Train no. 55036) – January 6 to 10
- Siwan to Gorakhpur Cantt (Train no. 55035) – January 6 to 10
- Siwan to Thawe (Train no. 55037) – January 6 to 10
- Thawe to Siwan (Train no. 55038) – January 6 to 10
- Gorakhpur Cantt to Narkatiaganj (Train no. 55098) – January 6 to 10
- Narkatiaganj to Gorakhpur Cantt (Train no. 55097) – January 6 to 10
- Narkatiaganj to Gorakhpur Cantt (Train no. 55047) – January 6 to 10
The list continues, encompassing several more routes that have been struck off due to the poor weather conditions, impacting thousands of commuters.
Delayed Trains Add To Commuter Woes
However, not all trains have been entirely taken off the railways’ schedule. Some have been rescheduled, causing inconvenience but still maintaining a light of hope for those in urgent need to travel.
*Rescheduling of Train Service*
Train No.12269 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Nizamuddin Duronto Express scheduled to leave Dr MGR Chennai Central at 06:35 hrs on 06.01.2025 is rescheduled to leave at 16:00 hrs due to the late running of pairing train (Late by 9 hours 25 mins)
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) January 6, 2025
For the likes of the 12269 Dr MGR Chennai Central to Nizamuddin Duronto Express, a delay of over nine hours meant heart-aching frustration for those planning to reach their destinations on time. It’s not just the cold that grips; it’s the uncertainty, the dread of rearranging plans, and the disappointing standby for a green signal from the controls. Such stories are aplenty as India battles this recurrent winter woe.
Weather Continues To Dictate Travel Plans
With the fog showing no immediate sign of receding, commuters need to reconsider and recheck their travel plans. The Indian Railways have advised citizens to stay updated by checking the status of their respective trains before setting out for their journey and to brace for potential delays.
This fog is a reminder of nature’s unpredictability, reminding us once again of how much our journeys and lives remain at its mercy. As India grapples with this cold season, the human stories continue to unfold—some fraught with challenges, while others push forth with resilience in the face of unrelenting fog.
It is indeed a time for patience, adaptation, and finding warmth in community support and spirit when facing days where the fog refuses to clear. For the hopeful travellers and the diligent workers at the railways, this winter saga continues to teach and test our ability to weather the storm, both literally and metaphorically.
Travel safe, and here’s hoping for clearer skies ahead.
