Indian Railways has announced winter fog-related changes covering 13 train services under North Central Railway from December 2026 to February 2027. The headline number needs one clarification: four trains are fully cancelled, seven services face reduced frequency on selected days, and two are partially cancelled over part of their route. The first changes begin on December 1, 2026, and the last currently announced restriction runs until February 28, 2027.
The move affects passengers travelling through Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and eastern India. North Central Railway has cited operational reasons for the fog season, when poor visibility can force slower running and create knock-on delays across busy corridors. The latest train schedule was reported on September 25.
Which 13 Train Services Face Winter Fog Changes?
North Central Railway’s current plan includes complete cancellations, day-specific cancellations and partial route cancellations. Travellers should check their exact journey date rather than assuming the train will be unavailable throughout winter.
- Trains 14112 Prayagraj-Muzaffarpur and 14111 Muzaffarpur-Prayagraj will remain cancelled from December 2 to February 24.
- Train 22198 Veerangana Lakshmibai Jhansi-Kolkata is cancelled from December 4 to February 26, while 22197 Kolkata-Jhansi is cancelled from December 6 to February 28.
- Trains 11123 Gwalior-Barauni and 11124 Barauni-Gwalior will skip selected Mondays, Thursdays, Tuesdays and Fridays during the notified period.
- Trains 11109 Jhansi-Lucknow and 11110 Lucknow-Jhansi will not run on notified Saturdays and Sundays.
- Trains 12033 Kanpur-New Delhi and 12034 New Delhi-Kanpur will be cancelled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between December 1 and February 27.
- Trains 12180 Agra Fort-Lucknow and 12179 Lucknow-Agra Fort will miss notified weekend services.
- Trains 11905 Agra Cantt-Hoshiarpur and 11906 Hoshiarpur-Agra Cantt will face three day-specific cancellations each week.
- Trains 12177 Howrah-Mathura and 12178 Mathura-Howrah will be partially cancelled between Agra Cantt and Mathura on notified dates.
Why Does Fog Lead To Advance Train Cancellations?
Dense winter fog regularly affects railway operations across northern India. When visibility falls, trains may have to move at restricted speeds and maintain tighter operating precautions. One late-running service can then disturb crew links, platform occupation and the paths allotted to other trains.
Indian Railways has been adding technology to reduce disruption. A March 2026 Ministry of Railways update said 29,848 GPS-based Fog Safe Devices were available across the network as of January 31, 2026. These portable units warn loco pilots about approaching signals, level crossings and permanent speed restrictions during poor visibility.
The same official update said Indian Railways recorded overall punctuality above 77% during 2025-26 up to February 2026. It also reported that 24 railway divisions had punctuality above 90%, while another 19 were in the 80% to 90% range. Fog still remains one factor that can disrupt winter schedules.
Could More Trains Face Changes From December?
Yes, further changes are possible, although no wider December 2026 cancellation list should be treated as confirmed until a railway zone publishes it. Fog planning is often handled zone by zone, and the final impact depends on routes, visibility conditions, operational capacity and timetable requirements.
Indian Railways has used advance cancellations and frequency reductions during earlier fog seasons as well. That means additional zonal notices would not be unusual. Passengers should still separate planned winter cancellations from same-day delays or diversions caused by actual weather conditions.
The current 13-service plan is a confirmed North Central Railway action, not automatically an all-India list. Travellers using Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Jhansi and connecting routes should watch for fresh notices as December approaches.
What Should Passengers Check Before Travelling?
A ticket booked for December, January or February should be checked again closer to departure. Travellers can use RailMadad and railway enquiry services to verify running status, route changes and passenger assistance. RailMadad also lists helpline 139.
The biggest mistake would be reading “13 trains cancelled” as 13 trains disappearing for three months. The actual plan mixes full cancellations, reduced weekly frequency and partial route cancellations. Checking the train number and date together is essential, especially when a service is cancelled only on selected weekdays. For families booking school-holiday or year-end trips, that distinction can decide whether they need a new train, date, or route.
FAQs
Are all 13 trains completely cancelled for three months?
No. Four are fully cancelled, while others face reduced frequency or partial route cancellations instead.
When do the winter fog train changes begin?
The first notified changes begin December 1, 2026, with restrictions continuing through February 28, 2027.
Which Shatabdi service is affected by the fog plan?
Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi trains 12033 and 12034 face cancellations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays weekly.
Where should passengers check their train before departure?
Passengers should verify status through railway enquiry channels, RailMadad, station notices, or helpline 139 directly.
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