According to railway officials, the cancellations are necessitated by the construction of a road under bridge (RUB) on the Hathbandh–Tilda Neora section. The work requires blocks on the track to ensure safety, prompting the suspension of passenger services that pass through the affected stretch.
The railway said that eight passenger trains running through Chhattisgarh will not operate on January 11 and 12. Among the affected services are the Raipur–Bilaspur Passenger, Korba–Raipur Passenger, Gevra Road–Bilaspur MEMU and the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Passenger. These trains serve as vital daily links for commuters, students and workers travelling between industrial towns and district headquarters.
Additionally, the Gondia–Jharsuguda–Gondia MEMU Passenger will operate only on a truncated route on January 11 and will not complete its full journey. Officials said this adjustment has been made to manage traffic during the construction window while keeping partial connectivity intact.
Separately, the Tatanagar–Bilaspur–Tatanagar Express (18113/18114) continues to remain cancelled from January 9 to January 14. The train has been suspended due to non-interlocking work being carried out under the South Eastern Railway zone. This long-distance service connects Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and its cancellation has impacted passengers travelling for work, medical needs and family commitments.
Railway authorities stated that the decision was taken in the interest of passenger safety and to facilitate faster completion of critical infrastructure projects. “Non-interlocking and RUB construction works are essential for improving operational efficiency and safety in the long term,” an official said.
Passengers have been advised to check the latest train status before commencing their journey. Those holding tickets for cancelled trains can opt for refunds or rescheduling through railway reservation counters or online platforms. The railway has also urged travellers to consider alternative routes and trains during the disruption period.
While officials maintain that the temporary inconvenience will lead to improved rail infrastructure, the cancellations have caused concern among regular passengers, particularly those dependent on passenger and MEMU services for short-distance travel. Normal operations are expected to resume after the completion of the scheduled works.
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