- Train 12957 Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express cancelled from Ahmedabad on October 9
- Cancellation comes ahead of opposition protests and a road blockade in Delhi on October 10
- Three other trains were also cancelled the same day
- Two Rajdhani services from Mumbai Central will leave five hours late
- Passengers asked to check train status and make alternative arrangements
Train 12957, the Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express from Ahmedabad to New Delhi, has been cancelled from its starting station on October 9. Indian Railways took the step ahead of planned protests in Delhi.
Why the train was cancelled
Opposition parties had planned demonstrations and a road blockade, known as chakka-jam, in Delhi on October 10. Indian Railways cited passenger safety.
The cancellation is a precautionary measure. It aims to stop passengers from getting stranded or missing their trains because of disruptions on city roads.
Other trains affected
Three other trains were cancelled the same day. These are 12247 Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Yuva Express, 12415 Indore-New Delhi Superfast Express and 20155 Dr Ambedkar Nagar-New Delhi Express.
Western Railway has also rescheduled services from Mumbai. Two premium Rajdhani services leaving Mumbai Central on October 9 will depart five hours later than their scheduled timings.
Road closures in Delhi
Road closures are expected around major Delhi railway stations from 4 am to 2 pm. The anticipated closures and traffic congestion led to the cancellation of several trains.
Passengers have been asked to check their train status before travelling. Those travelling from Ahmedabad to New Delhi have been advised to make alternative arrangements.
Background
An earlier protest reportedly left around 5,000 passengers unable to reach railway stations on time because of road closures. They missed their trains as a result. That earlier protest is separate from the present cancellation.
The Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani made its inaugural run on January 1, 1998. It is named Swarna Jayanti because it started in the 50th year of India’s independence.
