NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has cancelled all Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4am and 2pm on October 10, citing concerns that severe road traffic congestion around the two stations could leave passengers struggling to find taxis and other transport to reach their final destinations.




Railway sources said the decision was taken specifically for trains bound for New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin, as anticipated traffic congestion could cause considerable inconvenience to arriving passengers trying to arrange onward transport.




The move comes amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), although railway officials have not officially confirmed whether the demonstrations prompted the cancellations.




According to a railway order issued on October 9 by the coaching directorate, all Mail and Express trains departing from their originating stations after 2pm on Friday and scheduled to reach either New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4am and 2pm on Saturday will be cancelled at source.




Trains terminating at other Delhi stations, including Anand Vihar, Old Delhi, Bijwasan, Sarai Rohilla and Delhi Cantt, have not been cancelled as of now.




Railway sources said there was also no change in the schedule of trains originating from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin.




However, departures could be affected if incoming trains fail to reach the two stations within the stipulated window, potentially disrupting the subsequent movement of the train services.




The cancellations are aimed at avoiding a situation in which passengers arriving at the two major railway hubs face difficulties travelling onwards because of traffic congestion in surrounding areas.