Mega Traffic Block in Durgapur–Ondagram Section: Four Trains Cancelled, Three Diverted in December
Asansol Division to undertake major traffic and power block on December 22–23, 2026; passengers advised to check updated train status before travelling.
The Eastern Railway’s Asansol Division has announced the cancellation and diversion of several trains due to a mega traffic and power block in the Durgapur–Ondagram section. The block will affect train operations on December 22, 23 and 24, 2026, prompting changes to the schedules of four express trains and revised routes for three others.
According to the railway administration, the operational changes have been planned to facilitate work in the Durgapur–Ondagram section. While four trains will remain cancelled on their respective dates, three long-distance express services will operate through alternative routes to avoid the affected section.
The railway has advised passengers travelling on the affected dates to check the latest running status of their trains before commencing their journeys.
Four Express Trains Cancelled
As part of the traffic and power block arrangements, four express trains have been cancelled on specific dates in December.
The Ajmer–Sealdah Express and Sealdah–Ajmer Express will remain cancelled on December 22 and 23, respectively. The Kolkata–Gwalior Express and Gwalior–Kolkata Express will also be cancelled on December 23 and 24, respectively.
The details of the cancelled trains are as follows:
| Train Number | Train Name | Date of Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| 12988 | Ajmer–Sealdah Express | December 22, 2026 |
| 12987 | Sealdah–Ajmer Express | December 23, 2026 |
| 12319 | Kolkata–Gwalior Express | December 23, 2026 |
| 12320 | Gwalior–Kolkata Express | December 24, 2026 |
The cancellations are expected to affect passengers travelling between Rajasthan, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. Passengers who have booked tickets on these services are advised to check the applicable cancellation and refund arrangements through official railway channels.
Howrah–Shakur Basti Express to Run on Diverted Route
Train number 12381 Howrah–Shakur Basti Express, scheduled to operate on December 23, 2026, will be diverted through an alternative route.
Instead of its regular route via Khana Junction, Asansol Junction, Sitarampur, Pradhankhunta, Ghorparan, Gaya Junction and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, the train will operate via Khana Junction, Sainthia Junction, Rampurhat, Gumani, Bhagalpur Junction, Kiul Junction, Gaya Junction and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
The revised route will take the train through Sainthia, Rampurhat, Bhagalpur and Kiul before joining the route towards Gaya and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
Passengers travelling on this service should take note of the route diversion while planning their journeys.
Shakur Basti–Howrah Express to Follow an Alternative Route
The return service, Train number 12382 Shakur Basti–Howrah Express, will also be diverted. The change will apply to the train operating on December 22, 2026.
Under its regular schedule, the train runs from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction via Gaya Junction, Dhanbad Junction, Pradhankhunta, Sitarampur and Khana Junction.
However, on the affected date, it will operate through the alternative route via Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Gaya Junction, Kiul Junction, Bhagalpur Junction, Gumani, Rampurhat Junction, Sainthia Junction and Khana Junction.
The revised route will bypass the regular section via Dhanbad, Pradhankhunta and Sitarampur.
Bikaner–Sealdah Express Also Diverted
Train number 12260 Bikaner Junction–Sealdah Express will also operate on a diverted route on December 22, 2026.
The train’s scheduled route from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction to Khana Junction via Gaya Junction, Dhanbad Junction, Pradhankhunta and Sitarampur will be changed.
Instead, the train will run via Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Gaya Junction, Kiul Junction, Bhagalpur Junction, Gumani, Rampurhat Junction, Sainthia Junction and Khana Junction.
This diversion will enable the service to bypass the affected route during the scheduled traffic and power block.
Passengers Advised to Check Train Status
The railway administration has requested passengers to obtain updated information about their trains before starting their journeys. Travellers can check the latest train running status and operational updates through the official Indian Railways website, the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or the railway helpline.
Passengers are particularly advised to verify the revised routes and cancellation dates to avoid inconvenience at stations.
The traffic and power block in the Durgapur–Ondagram section will lead to temporary changes in train operations across several long-distance routes. The railway has announced these adjustments in advance to help passengers plan their travel accordingly.
