Several Delhi-bound trains from the West Central Railway zone have been cancelled or face possible withdrawal as security arrangements intensify ahead of a proposed CJP protest in the capital, while four passengers travelling from Hyderabad to Delhi were deboarded at Bhopal railway station and handed over to local police.
The four passengers were removed from the Telangana Express at about 9.45 pm on Thursday after railway police received inputs that they were travelling to Delhi to participate in the proposed demonstration. Senior Government Railway Police officials said notices were served on them under Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and that they were detained over concerns that their activities could affect law and order.
The passengers were subsequently handed over to local police. Officials had not confirmed their current status at the time of the report, including whether they had been released or sent back.
The proposed protest is scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Organisers plan to protest over alleged “vote theft” and seek accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner. Delhi Police has denied permission for the gathering, citing the short notice, public-safety and law-and-order concerns, and the need to regulate traffic.
The rail cancellations affect Mail and Express services originating from the Bhopal, Jabalpur and Kota divisions of West Central Railway. Railway sources said trains scheduled to leave after 2 pm on Friday and reach New Delhi after 4 am on Saturday had been cancelled at their originating stations. The affected services include trains bound for New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations.
Friday’s Bhopal Express, which originates at Rani Kamlapati station, has been officially cancelled. The Vande Bharat Express scheduled to leave Rani Kamlapati on Saturday is also likely to be cancelled, while additional services may be withdrawn depending on the security situation.
Railway officials attributed the cancellations to anticipated traffic congestion and operational constraints around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations. The measures mean that passengers travelling from cities across the West Central Railway network may face cancellations before beginning their journeys, rather than disruption only after reaching Delhi.
Security agencies have also recommended possible restrictions at 57 Delhi Metro stations from Friday night until the situation returns to normal. The recommendation, reported in the context of the protest preparations, could affect last-mile connections for passengers arriving in the capital by rail, although the source did not specify which stations would be affected or whether the restrictions had been finally implemented.
The cancellations and security measures come as authorities prepare for a gathering that has not received permission from Delhi Police. Further train withdrawals and changes to station operations are expected to depend on the security assessment and arrangements around the proposed demonstration.
