Patna: Rail services across parts of Bihar will face widespread disruption later this month as infrastructure work is carried out in the Indian Railways’ Danapur division, with several trains cancelled, diverted or delayed.
Pre-non-interlocking (Pre-NI) and non-interlocking (NI) works – key safety procedures that allow signalling systems to be modified – are scheduled on the Neura–Jatdumri section. Pre-NI work will take place from April 18 to 25, followed by the main NI work on April 26, when the maximum impact on services is expected.
Seven trains, including passenger and MEMU services operating on routes such as Patna–Sasaram and Patna–Ara, will be fully cancelled on April 26. Rail officials said the measures were necessary to facilitate upgrades aimed at improving connectivity and operational efficiency.
A number of long-distance express trains will also be diverted on April 25. Among those affected are services linking New Delhi and Rajendranagar, Indore and Patna, as well as routes connecting Kamakhya, Delhi, Ajmer, Bhagalpur, Okha, Guwahati and Surat. Passengers travelling on these services should expect longer journey times due to rerouting.
Some trains will operate on curtailed routes. The Jaynagar–Ara Express will terminate at Danapur, while the Durg–Ara South Bihar Express will run only up to Rajendranagar. In addition, certain services on April 26 will originate from Bihta instead of their usual stations.
Schedules across the division are also being adjusted, with dozens of trains expected to run late by between 30 minutes and five hours. Services including Danapur–Buxar, Buxar–Patna, Patliputra–Lokmanya Tilak, Banaras–Patna and Vasco da Gama–Patna are among those likely to be affected. Some trains may also operate at reduced speeds, further extending travel times.
Passengers have been advised to check the latest updates before travelling via the official website or mobile app of Indian Railways.
Railway authorities said the temporary disruption would enable essential upgrades, and that services are expected to become faster and more reliable once the work is completed.
