A thick blanket of dense fog and an unrelenting cold wave severely disrupted rail schedules in Ludhiana on Thursday, throwing travel plans into disarray for thousands of daily commuters and long-distance passengers.
Major Trains Running Hours Behind Schedule
The impact on the railway network was widespread and significant. The Amritsar–Karambhoomi Express faced a massive delay of over six and a half hours, symbolizing the day's travel woes. Other important long-distance services were also severely affected: the Amritsar Superfast Express was running nearly four hours late, and the Sachkhand Express was behind schedule by more than three and a half hours. Services like the Golden Temple Mail, crucial for connectivity to Delhi, were delayed by over two and a half hours, while the Sutlej Express, Ganga Sutlej Express, Jammu Tawi Express, and Shaheed Express all reported delays ranging from one to over an hour.
Widespread Cancellations Add to Passenger Woes
Beyond delays, a slew of cancellations left travellers with few alternatives. The premium New Delhi Vande Bharat Express did not operate, adding to the frustration. Several other trains, already facing repeated cancellations in recent days, were again taken off the tracks. This list included the Amritsar-Hisar Express, Jalandhar City Intercity Express, Delhi Sarai Rohilla Superfast Express, Agra Cantt Express, Jammu Mail, and Nangal Dam Express. The Amritsar Express and Amritsar-Jallianwala Bagh Express services were also cancelled.
Daily Commuter Services Paralyzed
The disruption hit hardest for local passengers relying on passenger trains for daily transit. A series of crucial commuter trains were cancelled entirely, crippling regional connectivity. The affected services included:
- Hisar-Ludhiana Passenger
- Ludhiana-Churu Passenger
- Ludhiana-Ambala Cantt Passenger
- Ferozepur Cantt-Ludhiana Passenger
- Ludhiana-Jakhal Passenger
- Sirsa-Ludhiana Passenger
With the cold wave conditions expected to persist, railway officials have indicated that similar disruptions might continue in the coming days. Passengers at the station expressed their anger and helplessness. Amit, a resident caught in the chaos, voiced a common sentiment: "Railways is one of the most convenient modes of travel. But such long delays force other ways. My train is further delayed and I would have to get a taxi." The situation underscores the vulnerability of India's extensive rail network to severe winter weather and the significant inconvenience it causes to the public.
