Major Railway Diversions Announced for East Central Railway Trains
The Indian Railways has implemented significant operational changes affecting numerous passenger services in the East Central Railway (ECR) zone. Over a dozen trains that either originate from or traverse through the ECR jurisdiction will be diverted on January 23 and 24, 2024. This substantial rerouting is necessitated by ongoing non-interlocking (NI) work being conducted in the Lucknow division, which falls under the Northern Railway (NR) network.
Alternative Routing and Operational Adjustments
To maintain service continuity during this critical infrastructure upgrade, railway authorities have established alternative pathways. Trains that typically operate via the Gorakhpur–Basti–Gonda corridor will now be rerouted through the Gorakhpur–Barhni–Gonda section. This strategic adjustment aims to minimize disruption while allowing essential maintenance activities to proceed uninterrupted.
According to Saraswati Chandra, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for East Central Railway, these diversions are an integral component of planned maintenance and infrastructure enhancement projects. "The diversion is part of essential maintenance and infrastructure upgrades that require non-interlocking operations at key railway points," Chandra stated. He further emphasized that while normal train movement may experience temporary disruptions, the railways has proactively arranged alternative routing to ensure the continuity of passenger services.
Affected Train Services and Passenger Advisory
The list of prominent trains affected by these operational changes includes several important long-distance services:
- Darbhanga–New Delhi routes
- Barauni–New Delhi services
- Muzaffarpur–Anand Vihar trains
- New Delhi–Darbhanga journeys
- Amritsar–New Jalpaiguri connections
- New Delhi–Barauni operations
- Anand Vihar–Saharsa routes
- Amritsar–Jayanagar services
- Kathgodam–Howrah trains
- Darbhanga–Jalandhar connections
The CPRO confirmed that these diversions will apply to both up and down journeys, affecting round-trip travel plans. In addition to the rerouted services, the railways has also rescheduled the departure times for five other trains due to the ongoing infrastructure work.
Railway officials have issued a clear advisory to passengers: travelers should check updated schedules and anticipate possible delays by consulting the official railway website for real-time information. The non-interlocking work represents a crucial step in the broader modernization of railway infrastructure, with officials highlighting its importance for improving long-term operational efficiency and safety across the network.
