Gorakhpur Cantt-Unaula Doubling Work to Alter Train Operations from August 31
Indian Railways has announced significant changes to train operations in the Varanasi Division of the North Eastern Railway in view of commissioning work for a patch of double-line track between Gorakhpur Cantt and Unaula stations. The infrastructure work is being undertaken on the Gorakhpur Cantt-Paniyawa section to strengthen railway capacity and improve operational efficiency.
As part of the commissioning process, Non-Interlocking (NI) work will be carried out, followed by an inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on September 3, 2026. In view of the work and safety inspection, several passenger trains will be cancelled, diverted, rescheduled or regulated between August 30 and September 4.
The railway administration has advised passengers to take note of the revised arrangements before planning their journeys during the affected period.
Three Passenger Trains Cancelled
Three passenger train services between Narkatiaganj and Gorakhpur Cantt will remain cancelled.
Train No. 55095 Narkatiaganj-Gorakhpur Cantt Passenger will remain cancelled from August 31 to September 3. In the opposite direction, Train No. 55098 Gorakhpur Cantt-Narkatiaganj Passenger will also remain cancelled during the same period.
Train No. 55097 Narkatiaganj-Gorakhpur Cantt Passenger will remain cancelled from September 1 to September 4.
The cancellations are being implemented to facilitate the commissioning work and associated operational arrangements in the Gorakhpur Cantt-Unaula section.
Major Long-Distance Trains to Run on Diversion
Several important long-distance trains will operate through alternative routes during the NI work. These diversions will result in the withdrawal of scheduled stoppages at a number of stations, particularly in the Gorakhpur, Basti, Gonda, Deoria and adjoining sections.
Train No. 15212 Amritsar-Darbhanga Jannayak Express, originating from Amritsar on September 1 and 2, will run via Roza, Lucknow, Barabanki, Ayodhya Cantt, Varanasi Junction, Chhapra Gramin and Muzaffarpur. It will not stop at Mangalganj, Sitapur City, Sitapur, Burhwal, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Kaptanganj, Ghughuli, Siswa Bazar, Khadda, Bagaha, Harinagar, Narkatiaganj, Chanpatia, Bettiah, Sagauli, Bapudham Motihari, Pipra, Chakia, Mehsi and Motipur.
Train No. 14674 Amritsar-Jaynagar Shaheed Express on September 1 will be diverted via Barabanki, Ayodhya Cantt, Varanasi Junction, Varanasi City, Mau and Bhatni. It will skip scheduled halts at Jarwal Road, Gonda, Mankapur, Babhnan, Basti, Khalilabad, Gorakhpur and Deoria Sadar.
The return Train No. 14673 Jaynagar-Amritsar Shaheed Express, departing Jaynagar on September 2 and 3, will run via Bhatni, Mau, Varanasi Junction, Ayodhya Cantt and Barabanki. It will not halt at Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Khalilabad, Basti, Babhnan, Mankapur, Gonda and Jarwal Road.
Train No. 13020 Kathgodam-Howrah Bagh Express, scheduled from Kathgodam on September 1, will also be diverted via Barabanki, Ayodhya Cantt, Varanasi Junction, Varanasi City, Mau and Bhatni. It will skip Jarwal Road, Gonda, Mankapur, Babhnan, Basti, Khalilabad, Gorakhpur, Chauri Chaura and Deoria Sadar.
The return Train No. 13019 Howrah-Kathgodam Bagh Express on September 2 will operate via Chhapra, Varanasi Junction, Ayodhya Cantt and Barabanki. It will not stop at several stations, including Kopasamota, Daudpur, Ekma, Chainwa, Duraundha, Siwan, Jiradei, Mairwa, Bankata, Bhatpar Rani, Bhatni, Deoria Sadar, Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur, Khalilabad, Basti, Babhnan, Mankapur, Gonda and Jarwal Road.
Train No. 14617 Purnia Court-Amritsar Jansewa Express on September 2 and 3 will run via Chhapra, Varanasi Junction, Ayodhya Cantt, Barabanki, Lucknow and Roza. The train will skip Ekma, Duraundha, Siwan, Mairwa, Bhatni, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Basti, Gonda, Burhwal, Sitapur and Mangalganj.
Train No. 15565 Lalitgram-New Delhi Vaishali Express on September 3 will be diverted via Chhapra, Varanasi Junction, Ayodhya Cantt and Barabanki. It will not stop at Siwan, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Khalilabad, Basti and Gonda.
Similarly, Train No. 15707 Katihar-Amritsar Express on September 1 and 2 will run via Chhapra, Aunrihar, Jaunpur, Ayodhya Cantt and Barabanki. Its scheduled halts at Ekma, Siwan, Mairwa, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Khalilabad, Basti, Mankapur, Gonda and Karnailganj will be withdrawn.
Train No. 12565 Darbhanga-New Delhi Bihar Sampark Kranti Express on September 3 will operate via Chhapra, Varanasi Junction, Banaras, Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central. It will skip Siwan, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Badshahnagar, Aishbagh and Unnao.
Train No. 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express on September 2 will operate through Lucknow, Sultanpur, Varanasi Junction and Chhapra. It will not halt at Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria Sadar and Siwan.
Train No. 19725 Khatipura-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express on September 1 and 2 will run via Barabanki, Ayodhya Cantt, Shahganj, Mau, Bhatni, Siwan, Thawe and Kaptanganj, skipping Gonda and Gorakhpur.
Train No. 02563 Barauni-New Delhi Clone Special and Train No. 02569 Darbhanga-New Delhi Clone Special, both scheduled on September 3, will run via Chhapra, Aunrihar, Varanasi Junction, Banaras, Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central. Both trains will skip Siwan, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Basti and Aishbagh.
Several Trains to Be Rescheduled
The railway has also revised departure timings for a number of trains.
Train No. 55040 Badhni-Narkatiaganj Passenger, operating from August 30 to September 3, will be rescheduled by 240 minutes from Badhni.
Train No. 15274 Anand Vihar Terminal-Raxaul Satyagrah Express on August 31 will depart 60 minutes later than its scheduled time.
Train No. 15027 Sambalpur-Gorakhpur Maurya Express on September 2 will be rescheduled by 300 minutes from Sambalpur.
Train No. 19038 Barauni-Bandra Terminus Avadh Express on September 3 will depart 300 minutes later from Barauni.
Train No. 12557 Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar Sapt Kranti Express on September 3 will be rescheduled by 240 minutes.
In the opposite direction, Train No. 19037 Bandra Terminus-Barauni Avadh Express on August 31 will depart 120 minutes later from Bandra Terminus, while Train No. 15705 Katihar-Delhi Champaran Humsafar Express on September 3 will be rescheduled by 75 minutes from Katihar.
Trains to Be Regulated En Route
Some trains will also be regulated for specified durations to manage traffic during the infrastructure work.
Train No. 19726 Darbhanga-Khatipura Amrit Bharat Express on September 3 will be controlled for 45 minutes in the Varanasi Division. Train No. 15655 Kamakhya-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express on August 31 will also be controlled for 45 minutes in the Varanasi Division.
Train No. 15274 Anand Vihar-Raxaul Satyagrah Express on August 31 and September 4 will be regulated for 60 minutes in the Lucknow Division of the North Eastern Railway.
Train No. 19037 Bandra Terminus-Barauni Avadh Express on August 30 will be controlled for 30 minutes in the Northern Railway jurisdiction and for another 45 minutes in the Lucknow Division of the North Eastern Railway.
The railway’s decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure and enhance operational flexibility. The doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt-Unaula section is expected to improve line capacity and facilitate smoother train movement on the Gorakhpur Cantt-Paniyawa corridor.
The NI work and subsequent CRS inspection are crucial steps before commissioning the newly doubled track section. Passengers travelling through the affected routes during the period should check the latest train schedule and route status before departure, as diversions, cancellations and revised timings may affect journey plans.
