South Central Railway announces cancellations, diversions of several trains till february- Here’s why

South Central Railway has announced large-scale changes in train operations due to pre-non-interlocking and non-interlocking works at Mandamari station. The works are part of the ongoing tripling project on the Kazipet–Balharshah section under Secunderabad Division. The changes will impact several long-distance express and special trains during late January and February 2026.

According to the railway zone, the engineering works are essential for capacity enhancement on the busy corridor, but will temporarily affect passenger train movements, including cancellations, diversions, rescheduling, and short regulations.

Several long-distance express and special trains cancelled

A total of 16 train services have been cancelled on different dates due to the block. These include popular Raptisagar Superfast Express services connecting Gorakhpur, Barauni, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram North, as well as long-distance trains linking Madurai, Chandigarh, Korba, and Lal Kuan.

Multiple special trains running between Danapur, SMVT Bengaluru, Kanpur Central, and KSR Bengaluru have also been cancelled on select days. Passengers booked on these trains are advised to check cancellation details carefully and opt for refunds or alternate services.

Major diversions announced; select trains rescheduled and regulated

In addition to cancellations, South Central Railway has diverted at least 14 train services via alternate routes to bypass the work-affected section. These include Indore–Thiruvananthapuram North Express, Ernakulam–Barauni Raptisagar Express, and several Danapur–SMVT Bengaluru special trains. The diverted routes pass through key junctions such as Vijayawada, Kazipet, Nizamabad, Itarsi, Bhusaval, and Akola.

Some trains will also face time changes. The Yesvantpur–Lucknow Express and the Jogbani–Erode Amrit Bharat Express have been rescheduled by 60 minutes on select dates. Meanwhile, premium services such as the Hazrat Nizamuddin–Dr MGR Chennai Central Garib Rath and Rajdhani Express will be regulated en route by 30 to 45 minutes.

Passengers are advised to verify train status through official railway enquiry systems before starting their journey, as schedules may vary depending on the date of travel and operational requirements during the block period.