A severe combination of biting cold and thick fog has brought rail traffic to a grinding halt at Ludhiana Junction this week, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across northern India. The extreme weather, featuring sub-zero wind chills and persistent low visibility, has forced massive disruptions, turning railway platforms into temporary shelters for shivering commuters.
Major Delays and Widespread Cancellations
The regional deep freeze led to the outright cancellation of several key long-distance trains to prevent further congestion on the network. On Wednesday, significant delays were reported for numerous express services. The Sachkhand Express was delayed by more than three and a half hours, while the Hirakud Express ran over three hours late. The Saryu Yamuna Express was nearly three hours behind schedule, and both the Golden Temple Mail and Amritsar Intercity faced delays exceeding 90 minutes.
The following major services were cancelled entirely:
- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Duronto Express
- Jammu Mail
- Subedarganj Superfast Express
- Kalka Express
- Jalandhar City Intercity Express
- Hisar–Ludhiana Passenger
Passenger Hardship on Cold Platforms
The human toll of the railway disruption in India is starkly visible at the station. Passengers, wrapped in blankets and shawls, are enduring daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 11°C. "It is difficult enough to travel in this weather, but waiting on a platform for four hours with no certainty is painful," shared a Delhi-bound commuter. Families with young children and elderly members are among the worst affected, with many forced to forfeit their tickets and seek expensive alternate road transport.
Economic Toll of Transport Paralysis
The ripple effects of the paralysis at Ludhiana Junction are being felt in the local economy. Traders who depend on daily intercity connections for business in cities like Delhi and Amritsar describe the frequent cancellations as "crippling." The disruption is severely hampering work schedules and the timely movement of goods, highlighting the broader economic impact of the severe weather on regional logistics and commerce.
