Ludhiana Train Services Remain Suspended, Causing Widespread Passenger Inconvenience
In a development that has left daily commuters and long-distance travelers deeply frustrated, numerous train services originating from Ludhiana continue to be cancelled, despite a significant improvement in weather conditions. The severe cold wave and dense fog that blanketed the region in the initial weeks of January led to widespread operational disruptions for safety reasons. However, the failure to restore these vital services has created confusion and hardship for passengers who depend on them for essential travel.
Key Trains Affected by Prolonged Suspension
The list of affected services includes several important and frequently used trains that are critical for connectivity across Punjab and beyond. Passengers report that the following trains have remained cancelled on most days since the onset of the harsh winter weather:
- Nangal Dam Express
- Jalandhar City Intercity Express
- Amritsar Express
- New Delhi Vande Bharat Express
- Amritsar-Ajmer Express
- Hisar-Ludhiana Express
- Jammu Tawi Duronto Express
- Ludhiana-Churu Passenger
Additionally, several other short and long-distance trains have faced similar cancellations. These services are not merely conveniences; they are lifelines for daily travel, business operations, employment commutes, and educational journeys. Their absence has forced many to seek alternative, often more expensive or time-consuming, modes of transportation.
Passenger Voices Highlight Growing Discontent
The prolonged suspension has severely disrupted daily routines. Aman, a regular commuter between Ludhiana and Jalandhar for work, expressed his acute frustration over the continued cancellation of the Jalandhar City Intercity Express. "I relied on this intercity train daily to reach my workplace. Its cancellation during the cold wave was already a major inconvenience, but it is both surprising and deeply disappointing that it remains out of service now," he stated. "The railways must prioritize resuming all cancelled trains at the earliest possible moment."
Sharandeep Singh, a resident who frequently travels to Anandpur Sahib, pointed out the unique importance of the Nangal Dam Express. "This train is one of the very few direct options between Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib. For many days, I have been checking its status regularly, hoping for a resumption. While cancellations during foggy conditions were understandable, the current clear weather offers no justification for keeping it cancelled," he lamented.
Official Explanation and Promised Resolution
When questioned about the delays in restoring services, Deputy Station Superintendent Prem Mittal provided clarification. He explained that the affected trains are scheduled to be resumed from March 1. According to Mittal, there is a designated period of cancellations every year, with announcements coordinated from railway headquarters. Furthermore, he noted that some trains on the Jammu route are specifically cancelled due to ongoing development and maintenance work along the tracks, which necessitates temporary service adjustments.
This annual scheduling practice, combined with infrastructure projects, forms the basis for the continued cancellations. However, for the countless passengers whose lives and livelihoods are impacted, the wait for normalcy feels unnecessarily prolonged. The community eagerly anticipates the promised March resumption, hoping for a swift return to reliable and efficient rail connectivity from Ludhiana.
