Patna: Dense fog conditions across north India and Bihar continued to paralyse rail and air traffic on Saturday, extending a spell of transport disruption that has now lasted close to three weeks. Superfast trains, including the Rajdhani and Sampoorna Kranti Express services, have been arriving late at Patna Junction almost daily, while flight operations at Patna Airport remain erratic due to poor visibility.
At Patna Airport on Saturday, the impact was evident from the morning itself. The first flight of the day landed at 11.07am, running 1 hour and 27 minutes behind schedule. In total, at least 12 incoming flights arrived late, with delays stretching up to 1 hour and 11 minutes. The Mumbai–Patna service recorded the longest delay among arrivals. These late landings had a cascading effect, resulting in the delayed departure of 12 outbound flights as well.
Rail services were similarly affected. The 12310 Rajdhani Tejas Express reached Patna Junction 2 hours and 43 minutes late, while the 15394 Sampoorna Kranti Express was delayed by 59 minutes. Several other long-distance trains arrived significantly behind schedule: the 22362 Amrit Bharat Express was late by 8 hours and 16 minutes; the 15657 Brahmaputra Mail by 2 hours and 30 minutes; the 20702 Magadh Express by 4 hours and 42 minutes; the 12392 Shramjeevi Express by 2 hours and 48 minutes; and the 12368 Vikramshila Express by 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Railway officials said train speeds have been restricted for safety reasons as visibility remains severely reduced during early morning and late-night hours. Aviation authorities, meanwhile, attributed flight delays to fog-related operational constraints and knock-on effects from earlier disruptions.
With meteorological conditions showing little immediate improvement, passengers are being advised to check the status of their trains and flights before travelling. The prolonged fog spell has not only tested transport systems but also added to commuter fatigue, as Bihar and neighbouring regions brace for further days of disrupted movement.
