With the impending Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir scheduled for January 22, a significant disruption in the operation of 36 trains to and from Ayodhya has been witnessed due to the ongoing track doubling initiatives. The doubling of tracks, a part of Indian Railways' comprehensive strategy to enhance the efficiency and speed of train journeys toward Ayodhya, has led to the cancellation or diversion of numerous trains, including the Vande Bharat Express transporting passengers from Delhi to the sacred destination.
The extensive track doubling and infrastructure work on the Lucknow-Barabanki-Ayodhya Cantt-Shahganj-Zafarabad section has resulted in alterations to the movement of these trains, a situation anticipated to persist until January 22. This development coincides with the anticipation of a large influx of people traveling to Ayodhya for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir on the aforementioned date.
The track doubling project, initially scheduled for completion by January 20, faces uncertainties regarding meeting the stipulated deadline, according to sources. Currently, the tracks can facilitate the movement of 40 trains, and upon the completion of the doubling work, this capacity is expected to increase to accommodate 80 trains in the same section.
In response to the evolving situation, authorities have extended the period of train diversions and cancellations from the initial date of January 15 to the newly extended date of January 22. The affected section, encompassing a 161-kilometer rail line, is undergoing extensive repair and doubling at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore. The revised sanctioned cost has been set at Rs 1,790 crore, with Rs 1,576 crore expended by December 2023 and an additional Rs. 466 crore allocated during the financial year 2023-24 for the Lucknow division heading towards Ayodhya.
A list of partially canceled or diverted trains from January 19 to January 22 has been provided, encompassing various routes and destinations. The diversions are rerouted via the Shahganj-Jaunpur junction and the Jaunpur City-Sultanpur-Lucknow junction.
In light of these disruptions, the Indian Railways is proactively preparing to introduce new routes and trains from diverse locations across India, catering to the escalating demand for travel to Ayodhya post-January 22. Detailed plans and information about these additional train services are on the verge of being unveiled, according to railway sources. Presently, 22 trains connect various parts of the country to Ayodhya, facilitating devotees' visits to the Ram Mandir.
