Indian Railways cancelled 245 trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations on October 10, 2026, due to anticipated severe road and crowd congestion caused by planned protests. The cancellations affected major expresses including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Garib Rath, Tejas, Humsafar, and Shramshakti trains. The affected trains departed originating stations after 2 pm on October 9 and were scheduled to arrive at Delhi stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10.
Metro Station Closures and Security Deployment
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed 45 metro stations from 9 pm on October 9 until 6 pm on October 10 for security reasons. Major
transit hubs like Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Kashmere Gate, Hauz Khas, and Supreme Court stations were included. Delhi Police deployed approximately 23,000 security personnel from October 8 to October 12, supported by additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces. Extensive security measures such as barricading, CCTV surveillance, and facial recognition cameras were implemented around the city, especially near New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.
Protest-Driven Operational Changes
The cancellations and closures were in response to protests organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and allied groups demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and a rollback
of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Intelligence reports and traffic advisories warned of heavy congestion and disruption in the capital, particularly near railway hubs. Authorities had prohibited protests citing short notice and past violations, but protests proceeded with wide political and civil support. The Delhi government also ordered the closure of all retail liquor vendors on October 9 and 10 and saw educational institutions like Sardar Patel Vidyalaya switch to online classes and postpone events to maintain public order.
Train Routes and Cancellation Details
Western Railway rescheduled the Mumbai Central–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (train 12951) and August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953) by five
hours. The Sealdah division of Eastern Railway cancelled the Sealdah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12313) departing on October 9. Central Railway’s West Central Railway Bhopal division cancelled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (22221). The Ranchi division cancelled the Hazrat Nizamuddin Garib Rath train set for October 10.
Other major cancellations include the Bandra Terminus–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247), Dr. Ambedkar Nagar–New Delhi Express (20155), Sabarmati–New Delhi Express (12957), Magadh Express (20801), Tejas Raj Express (12309), Sampoorna Kranti Express (12393), Amrit Bharat Express (22361), Shatabdi Express (12033), Prayagraj Express (12417), Humsafar Express (12275), Shramshakti Express (12451), UP Sampark Kranti
Express (12447), Intercity Express (14211), Banaras Express (12559 and 12581), Dehradun Express (12056), and several other trains connecting cities like Kasganj, Lucknow, Jabalpur, Sirsa, Udaipur City, Shri Ganganagar, and Tilak Bridge with New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations.
Passenger Impact and Official Guidance
The train cancellations led to many passengers missing their trains on October 9 due to road congestion and protest-related delays. Railway sources quoted by IANS stated, “Several passengers could not reach railway stations on time, while IRCTC group bookings were also cancelled.” Dedicated helpdesks were established to assist affected passengers. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Sealdah urged travelers to take note
of cancellations and plan journeys accordingly. Passengers holding valid tickets were allowed entry to railway stations, but strict security checks, barricading, and surveillance systems were operational. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation advised that metro station entry and exit points at closed stations would remain shut between 9 pm October 9 and 6 pm October 10 with periodic reviews to follow. Travelers were urged to verify their train status using official Indian Railways sources prior to travel.
