Delhi Train Status: Dense Winter Fog Triggers Major Train Delays Across the National Capital
Delhi Train Status: A heavy layer of dense winter fog covered the national capital on Saturday morning, sharply increasing cold conditions and causing widespread disruption to railway operations. Low visibility during the early hours affected train movement across the region, leaving passengers stranded and schedules in disarray. More than sixty long-distance and local trains reaching Delhi were delayed by over two hours, while several premium services experienced far more severe setbacks.
Impact of Fog on Rail Operations
The intense fog significantly reduced visibility on railway tracks, forcing authorities to slow down train movement for safety reasons. As a result, both arriving and departing trains were affected, leading to a cascading impact on the daily timetable. Railway officials from Indian Railways implemented precautionary measures, but the weather conditions made it difficult to maintain punctual operations. Passengers traveling overnight or in the early morning hours faced the brunt of these disruptions.
Premium Trains Face Severe Delays
Several high-profile and premium trains were among the worst affected. Services such as the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express and the Katihar–New Delhi Champaran Humsafar Express were reported to be running extremely late, with some arrivals delayed by more than twenty hours. These extended delays caused further complications, including missed connections and overcrowding at stations as incoming passengers waited for updated announcements.
Revised Departure Schedules
Due to the late arrival of inbound trains, departure schedules had to be revised across multiple routes. One of the most notable changes involved the Champaran Humsafar Express. Originally scheduled to depart from Old Delhi in the late afternoon on Friday, the train was rescheduled to leave only on Saturday afternoon, resulting in a delay of nearly twenty hours. Similar adjustments were made for other long-distance services to manage platform availability and operational safety.
Local Trains and Passenger Inconvenience
The disruption was not limited to long-distance routes. Several local and short-haul trains also ran behind schedule, creating challenges for daily commuters. Passengers were seen waiting on platforms for extended periods, often in biting cold conditions. For elderly travelers, children, and those without access to warm waiting rooms, the experience proved especially difficult. Many passengers relied on real-time updates through mobile applications and station announcements to track revised timings.
Overview of Major Trains Running Late
Among the significantly delayed services were the Old Delhi–Katihar Champaran Humsafar Express, the New Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Express, and the New Delhi–Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab Express. Other affected trains included routes to Darbhanga, Howrah, Ayodhya, Kota, Lucknow, and Gaya. Delay durations ranged from just over an hour to nearly twenty hours, highlighting the uneven but widespread impact of the foggy conditions.
Weather Conditions and Safety Measures
Meteorological experts indicated that dense fog during winter mornings is common in northern India, particularly in December and January. Railway authorities emphasized that safety remains the top priority during such conditions, even if it leads to operational delays. Reduced speed limits, additional signal checks, and constant monitoring were enforced to prevent accidents on fog-covered tracks.
What Passengers Should Expect
Travelers are advised to check live train status before heading to stations, allow extra time for journeys, and stay updated through official railway communication channels. While weather conditions are expected to improve as the day progresses, intermittent fog may continue to affect early morning services in the coming days.
Conclusion
The dense fog episode once again highlighted how winter weather can disrupt transportation networks in the capital region. While the delays caused inconvenience, the precautionary steps taken by railway authorities were essential to ensure passenger safety. As winter continues, travelers may need to plan journeys with added flexibility and awareness of changing weather patterns.