Passengers travelling from Jammu and Katra to different parts of the country faced major disruption on Friday after four trains were cancelled at short notice. The cancellations were linked to anticipated congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's October 10 protest seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Railway Board cancelled more than 250 trains connected to New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations, affecting services across the country. In Jammu and Katra, passengers were left stranded at stations with luggage, with many saying they had learnt about the cancellations only after arriving for their journeys.
According to officials, the cancellations covered passenger trains scheduled to leave their originating stations after 2 pm on October 9, as well as those due to arrive at New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. Trains scheduled to depart from these two stations for other destinations, along with local trains, were also cancelled.
The Jammu railway division said it had made special arrangements to help passengers. A spokesperson said help desks had been set up at major stations, including Jammu Tawi, Katra, Kathua and Pathankot Cantt, and extra staff had been deployed to manage crowds, assist passengers and run special refund counters.
The spokesperson said passenger information was being shared through bulk SMS, public announcements, display boards and social media. He added that the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police had also been deployed and a dedicated helpline had been activated.
At Jammu Tawi and Katra railway stations, scores of passengers were seen waiting for updates and trying to find alternative transport. Several said they had booked tickets two to three months in advance but received no prior notice before reaching the station.
"We booked our tickets two months ago, and our train was scheduled for today. However, we learnt just half an hour to an hour before departure that it had been cancelled. We have to reach Delhi, but no alternative arrangements are available. We are travelling with our family and are extremely troubled and worried," said Narinder Singh, a passenger from West Bengal.
He questioned why passengers had not been informed in advance and said they had approached the administration for help. "Many people are facing the same problem. Somehow, everyone has to reach Delhi. We are stranded at Katra railway station and are waiting to see what arrangements can be made," he said.
At Katra railway station, Raj, a visitor from Dehradun, said he and his companions had booked their tickets two months earlier and were to travel to Delhi before going on to Dehradun. He said the cancellation had disrupted their itinerary, forcing them to look for alternative transport and extend their stay in Katra.
Raghav Kumar, a passenger from Sitamarhi in Bihar, said he had completed his pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and came to know about the cancellation of his return train only after reaching the railway station. He said he had booked his ticket online nearly three months ago.
"I am facing a lot of difficulties. I do not know where I will have to stay tonight or what problems I may face. I need help to reach home," he said, appealing to the government and railway authorities to arrange alternative transport or provide financial assistance for the journey.
In Jammu, another passenger, Narinder Singh, said the disruption had created chaos for people trying to reach their destinations. "Look at how much chaos has been created here. People are facing difficulties, and everyone is stranded. Those who need to reach their respective destinations are stuck here," he said.
Sunita, a passenger from Mumbai, also expressed displeasure over the cancellations and said the disruption had caused considerable hardship to passengers travelling with their families.
Officials advised passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and seek assistance through railway helpline 139 or the National Train Enquiry System app. The cancellations left many passengers in Jammu and Katra stranded, even as railway authorities said support measures had been put in place to help them.