Delhi train cancellations have disrupted rail travel from Uttar Pradesh, with Indian Railways scrapping several mail, express and premium services because of anticipated severe road congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations.
The Railway Board’s coaching directorate issued the directive on Friday, ordering the cancellation of trains that departed from their originating stations after 2pm and were scheduled to reach either Delhi station between 4am and 2pm on Saturday. The cancellations affect services connecting the national capital with Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Kasganj and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Northern Railway confirmed that the Lucknow Mail (12229) and Lucknow-New Delhi AC Superfast Express (12429), both scheduled to depart from Lucknow on Friday, would not operate. Their corresponding Delhi-to-Lucknow services, trains 12230 and 12430, were also cancelled for October 10.
The Lucknow-New Delhi Gomti Express (12419) has been cancelled for October 11. Railways also cancelled the Kasganj-New Delhi Express (15303), along with both services of the Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express, train numbers 82501 and 82502, scheduled to run on Saturday.
The Tejas Express is a premium rail connection between Lucknow and New Delhi, and its cancellation is expected to affect passengers travelling in both directions over the weekend. The decision also removes multiple scheduled options for passengers who might otherwise have travelled by rail during a period of expected disruption on roads approaching the capital.
Northeastern Railway separately confirmed the cancellation of the Shiv Ganga Express (12559) and the Banaras-New Delhi Superfast Express (12581), both of which originate from Varanasi. Their return services, trains 12560 and 12582, scheduled for Saturday, have also been cancelled.
The initial Railway Board directive cited anticipated severe road traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin but did not specify its cause. Subsequent cancellation notices issued by the Moradabad railway division referred to proposed protests in central Delhi and an accompanying traffic advisory.
The cancellations cover both trains travelling towards Delhi and return services leaving the capital. As a result, passengers from several major Uttar Pradesh cities face disruption to planned journeys, including those using premium services and long-distance trains with limited alternatives on the same route.
The affected services and their corresponding return journeys will remain cancelled on the dates specified in the Railway Board and zonal railway notices. Further travel arrangements will depend on railway advisories and the traffic situation around the two Delhi stations.
