New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, Indian Railways has cancelled all mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday, October 10.
This decision has been taken keeping the likelihood of severe road traffic congestion around the two stations ahead of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, Railway Board sources said.
This is to avoid public discomfort at large, the sources said.
According to an order issued on October 9 by the Railway Board’s Coaching Directorate, mail and express trains scheduled to depart, from their originating stations after 2 pm on Friday and reach the two Delhi stations during the specified 10-hour window will be cancelled at source, as reported by News18.
“In view of anticipated severe road traffic congestion in the area around New Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station on 10th Oct, 2026, the following is decided: All Mail/ExpressTrains starting at Source after 14:00 Hrs today i.e. 9th October, 2026, which are reaching New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station on 10th October,2026 from 04:00 Hrs to 14:00 Hrs be cancelled at source,” the order stated.
Proactive passenger safety measures have been adopted in view of the Opposition’s protest in Delhi on 10th October, railway officials said.
Intelligence inputs and traffic advisory indicate severe road congestion around the New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations on October 10 between 4 am and 2 pm due to planned protest/demonstration by opposition parties in Central Delhi, officials said.
“This is the same pattern we saw recently at New Delhi station, where due to rush and road blockades linked to such protests, a train departed, leaving nearly 5,000 genuine passengers behind on platforms, unable to reach on time. Citizens suffered because of this protest,” the officials said.
“To ensure that passengers do not face similar hardship, the railways has taken a proactive, precautionary step,” they added.
Eastern Railway has cancelled the two Rajdhani Express trains departing from Howrah and Sealdah on Friday, October 9.
The Delhi Police has been preparing ahead of the CJP’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar, with the Centre deploying 221 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 23,000 personnel, to assist the Delhi Police, according to India Today.
Authorities are also tracking people identified during the party’s previous demonstration, monitoring buses travelling to the capital and reportedly contacting universities and owners of paying guest accommodations to discourage students from participating.
Amid the security preparations, the Delhi Police has proposed restricting entry and exit at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on October 9 until the situation returns to normal on October 10.