More than 250 trains arriving in or departing from Delhi-NCR have been cancelled after railway authorities revised travel restrictions linked to a planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, disrupting mail, express and local services across the region.
Northern Railway said on Friday evening that trains departing from stations in other states after 2pm on October 9, as well as trains scheduled to reach New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4am and 2pm on October 10, had been cancelled because of possible traffic disruption.
The cancellations were revised several times. The initial list covered 38 mail and express trains, which was later increased to 45. A subsequent railway notice cancelled 40 trains arriving in Delhi and 35 departing from the capital. By Friday evening, Northern Railway had revised the total to more than 250 trains, including 75 mail and express services and 170 passenger trains.
The decision also affected premium services. Among the cancelled trains were the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, train number 12301, and the Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, train number 12313. The railway’s revised cancellation list also included other mail, express and local services operating through Delhi-NCR stations.
The disruption affects one of the country’s most important rail gateways, where New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin handle long-distance services connecting the capital with multiple states. Passengers travelling to Delhi or departing from the region were advised to check the latest railway information before beginning their journeys, as the cancellation list was revised during the day.
The cancellations followed security preparations around a protest announced by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police said the organisation had not been granted permission to hold the demonstration on Saturday and warned that prohibitory orders were in force in the area. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to maintain law and order and keep traffic moving.
Barricades and checkpoints were placed around Jantar Mantar and at other strategic locations. Police also carried out checks at Delhi’s borders as part of the security arrangements, according to the report.
Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the organisation had not followed the prescribed process for seeking permission. She said the group’s proposed demonstration had to comply with the provisions of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita if it went ahead without permission. The police said the organisation applied for permission on October 7, whereas the applicable guidelines require notice at least 10 days before a demonstration.
The Cockroach Janta Party said on its social media handles that it remained committed to its announcement to protest at Jantar Mantar. The railway and police measures were expected to remain linked to the security and traffic-management arrangements around the designated protest area, with the latest train status determining the effect on passengers.
