Indian Railways has cancelled all Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4am and 2pm on October 10, citing concerns that severe road congestion could leave passengers without reliable onward transport.
The cancellations apply to trains that depart from their originating stations after 2pm on Friday and are scheduled to reach either of the two major Delhi railway hubs during the affected window. The order was issued on October 9 by the railway coaching directorate.
Railway sources said the decision was taken because traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin could make it difficult for arriving passengers to find taxis and other modes of transport for their onward journeys. The move comes amid protests against the Chief Election Commissioner, although railway officials have not officially confirmed that the demonstrations directly prompted the cancellations.
The decision is limited to trains terminating at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Trains scheduled to arrive at other Delhi stations, including Anand Vihar, Old Delhi, Bijwasan, Sarai Rohilla and Delhi Cantt, had not been cancelled as of the time of the report.
There has also been no change in the scheduled departures of trains originating from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin. However, railway officials indicated that these services could face operational effects if incoming trains do not reach the stations within the specified period. In such a situation, the subsequent movement of those train services could be disrupted.
New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin are among the capital’s major long-distance rail hubs, connecting the city with destinations across the country. For passengers, the cancellation decision affects not only the rail journey but also the final road leg between the stations and their homes, workplaces, hotels or connecting transport points.
The railway action highlights the operational dependence between Delhi’s rail network and its road-based passenger transport system. Although the trains themselves may be able to reach the capital, officials have cited the possibility that road congestion could prevent passengers from completing their journeys safely and conveniently after leaving the stations.
The order specifically covers Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive between 4am and 2pm on Saturday. Trains terminating at the other listed Delhi stations remained outside the cancellation decision as of the latest information available, while the status of services originating from the two affected stations could depend on whether incoming trains arrive as scheduled.
