Bengaluru-Kerala And North India Train Services Cancelled Amid Ongoing Disruptions
Indian Railways has announced a series of temporary train cancellations impacting key routes across Southern and Northern India. This extensive operational adjustment, scheduled for October, is a direct consequence of crucial third-line construction and signalling upgrades currently underway on the vital Papatapalli-Dornakal section. While the decision presents a short-term inconvenience for a significant number of passengers, it represents an essential investment towards building a resilient, eco-friendly, and high-capacity rail network that is pivotal for the nation’s socio-economic progress.
The scale of this infrastructure project is substantial, affecting long-distance express services that connect major urban centres. Commuters on routes such as the Gorakhpur–Thiruvananthapuram Rapti Sagar Express and the Korba–Thiruvananthapuram North Superfast Express will experience changes to their travel plans. Furthermore, the cancellations extend to special services linking major hubs like Danapur to Bengaluru and Dhanbad to Coimbatore, highlighting the widespread nature of the disruption. These are not minor operational glitches but a calculated pause to ensure that the foundational framework of the network is robust enough to handle future demands of a growing population.
The third-line construction between Papatapalli and Dornakal is designed to eliminate bottlenecks, enabling a significant increase in train frequency and, critically, a reduction in transit delays. Experts note that a modernised railway system is fundamental to creating zero net carbon, sustainable cities by incentivising public transport over private vehicles. By making train travel more efficient and reliable, the railways can serve as the backbone of an equitable transport system that offers secure and accessible mobility for all citizens, irrespective of gender or economic background. The upgraded signalling technology will also enhance safety standards, a non-negotiable aspect of any world-class public transport network.
While the immediate impact on passengers is undeniable, these strategic infrastructure upgrades are a necessity for the long-term health and growth of the national railway. The Papatapalli-Dornakal section, in particular, is a critical artery for freight and passenger movement, and its enhancement will have a cascading effect on the entire network’s performance. These upgrades are part of a broader national plan to modernise the rail system, ensuring it remains the most sustainable and accessible mode of long-distance travel. Railway officials urge passengers to view these short-term disruptions as a necessary step towards a more reliable, punctual, and safe future for rail travel. They have advised all travellers to check the latest updates on train schedules and make alternative arrangements, with the promise that these efforts will ultimately lead to a far more efficient and robust railway system for generations to come.
