Western, Central Railways cancel and reschedule Mumbai-Delhi trains ahead of CJP protest at Jantar Mantar

Several long-distance trains from Mumbai to New Delhi have been cancelled or rescheduled by the Central and Western Railways on Friday, on the eve of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest in the national capital.

Western Railway rescheduled the Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12951) and the Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953) by five hours, according to PTI. It cancelled the Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247) and the Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express.

Also read: Internet services to be suspended from tonight in Central Delhi for 24 hours amid CJP’s October 10 Jantar Mantar protest call


The Western Railway also cancelled the Dr Ambedkar Nagar-New Delhi Express (20155), the Indore-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (09309), the Indore-New Delhi Express (12415) and the Sabarmati-New Delhi Express (12957). Its jurisdiction covers Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The Central Railway cancelled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (22221). Several other trains on the two networks reached their destinations despite disruptions linked to the agitation, railway officials said.

The decision was taken in view of anticipated "severe road traffic congestion" around the New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations on October 10, following a Railway Board communication, according to the notification.

Indian Railways has ordered the cancellation of all Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. The order came from the railway department's coaching directorate.

Railway authorities have advised passengers to check updated train schedules before starting their journeys. Many passengers raised concerns about refunds and expressed anger over the abrupt move. A Western Railway spokesperson said passengers would get refunds for tickets on the cancelled trains.

The CJP has planned a massive protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He is facing allegations of voter-list tampering under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and of bypassing his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a key document to register as a voter.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the protest on October 2, after leading a massive demonstration at Mumbai's Shivaji Park. He warned of a "Jantar Mantar 2.0" if Kumar did not step down.

In a post on X later that night, Dipke said that if Kumar does not resign, party supporters from across the country will march to Jantar Mantar on October 10. He said that wherever Delhi Police stop them will become their Jantar Mantar. He said the protest would be peaceful and would follow the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi.

Dipke also asked whether the government and Delhi Police would respect the right to peaceful protest or repeat what he called the brutality of July 20. Police had cracked down on protesters during the CJP's earlier agitation over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar that day.

Delhi Police detained around 200 protesters near Jantar Mantar on October 3, the second consecutive day of such detentions. On October 6, Dipke alleged that the Chandrapur police in Maharashtra had served notices on CJP activists, asking them not to take part in the protest and questioning them about the source of their travel expenses.

On Friday, Dipke alleged that thousands of young people across the country had been detained ahead of the protest. He said he would land in Delhi on Saturday and march to Jantar Mantar.

Other restrictions in Delhi

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the temporary suspension of mobile internet within a 4-km radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10.

Also read: NEET protest: SC rejects plea for independent probe into CJP agitation

Delhi Police have asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to reduce train frequency and close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on October 9, citing the proposed protests, according to a letter dated October 8. The DMRC confirmed the closures, citing security reasons.

The Namo Bharat stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar will remain closed from 9 pm on October 9 till 10 pm on October 10, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation announced.

(With inputs from PTI)