Chandigarh: Fog derails Shatabdi schedule

Naina Mishra

Chandigarh, January 16

As dense fog enveloped several parts of North India, train services were significantly hit today, leading to inconvenience to passengers.

Thick fog has severely affected visibility, causing disruptions in the schedule of various trains. Anticipating delay, the railway authorities cancelled Kalka Shatabdi today. The Netaji Express (12311) reached here at 7 am — 4.30 hours behind its usual time of 2.35 am. The Pashchim Express (12925) was also late by 1 hour and 20 minutes. Kalka Shatabdi (12011) was cancelled today after it got delayed by 9 hours and 30 minutes yesterday.

Yesterday, Kalka Shatabdi (12012), which departs from Chandigarh at 6.23 pm, left at 10.52 pm — late by 4 hours, and was subsequently cancelled today.

Vande Bharat (22447) got delayed by an hour and arrived here at 9.46 am today.

Rail traffic goes for a toss

• Kalka Shatabdi (12011) – Cancelled
• Kalka Shatabdi (12012) – Cancelled
• Vande Bharat (22447) — Arrives late by I hour
• Netaji Express (12311) – Arrives late by 4 hours and 34 minutes
• Paschim Express (12925) – Arrives late by 1 hour and 20 minutes

Yatin Arora, who had to wait for four hours at Chandigarh Railway Station for Kalka Shatabdi on Monday, said, “I did not expect train to come four hours late. I had to order my dinner at the railway station only. It is so difficult to wait for trains in cold weather. The train came at 11 pm. We had been waiting since 6 pm at the railway station.”

Shatabdi Express (12005), which departs from Delhi at 5.15 pm and arrives at Chandigarh at 8.30 pm, was late by two-hour on Monday. The Chandigarh Shatabdi (12045), which leaves New Delhi at 7.15 pm and reaches here at 10.35 pm, was delayed by 1 hour and 20 minutes yesterday.

Passengers at Chandigarh Railway Station voiced their concerns as railway authorities grappled with extended delays. Neha Sharma, expressing her frustration, said, “I had planned my journey well in advance, but the unexpected fog has thrown everything off track. It’s disheartening to hear about the delays, and the lack of clear information adds to the chaos.”

Another passenger, Prashant, who had been waiting for Paschim Express for one and a half hours in the waiting room, said, “I have been waiting for the past on and a half hours for the train. It’s causing a lot of inconvenience, especially to those who have time-sensitive commitments.”

The railway authorities have issued advisories cautioning passengers about potential delays and urging them to stay updated on the revised schedules. However, many passengers complained about a lack of real-time information at the stations.

“This unexpected weather condition has thrown a spanner in our plans. We understand the challenges faced by the railway authorities, but there should be a better communication to keep passengers informed,” said Priya Singh, a commuter.