Indian Railways cancelled or partially cancelled many passenger trains and express trains on Friday, December 27, 2025, owing to dense fog that severely affected rail operations in several areas of North and Central India. The reduced early morning visibility affected railway operations, which led to necessary precautions being taken by Indian Railways to ensure passenger safety.
According to railway officials, the presence of fog resulted in poor visibility on the tracks, especially where Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, the state of Rajasthan, Bihar, and parts of Madhya Pradesh are located. Consequently, several long-distance trains, as well as other intercity trains, were either canceled or short-terminated or even delayed for several hours.
Railway’s ‘Safety First’ Decision
As per officials, this was done as a measure of winter safety precautions. The situation becomes complex for train services during times of dense fog since there is a higher possibility of signals being misunderstood.
“The safety of our passengers is our prime concern. Wherever the fog was extreme, either regulation or cancellation of trains was done to rule out any hazard,” said a senior railway official.
Railways activated the operational instructions related to fog as well. These included lower speeds, greater surveillance, as well as coordination between station masters and loco pilots.
Main Roads Affected
Some of the major routes were disrupted due to fog, especially the routes that link northern states with eastern and southern India. The trains that go through areas with high fog were delayed for about one to six hours.
Passengers at major railway stations complained of congestion in waiting areas where people were waiting for information on rescheduled trains. Special announcements were made at stations, and digital display boards were also updated regularly to inform passengers about train status.
Effecting the Passengers
Thousands of passengers were affected by last-minute cancellations and delays. Passengers who had connection trains or time-critical journeys were some of the most inconvenienced.
The concerned officials advised commuters to verify the status of the trains prior to travel. Refunds, as well as rescheduling, were also allowed according to the regulations in the railways.
Fog Safety Measures are in Place
A number of fog safety measures are employed by “Indian Railways” during winters, such
Fog safety systems installation in trains in order to assist drivers in observing signals in low visibility
Employment of extra staff at signal points
Lower train speed on fog-affected routes
Constant observation from control rooms
Officials indicated that the above strategies are crucial in ensuring safety, though efficiency may sometimes be affected in situations where extreme weather is involved.
Weather Conditions Likely to Persist
The meteorological department has reported that conditions for thick fog are expected to prevail for several days given low temperatures, significant moisture, as well as calm conditions at night and early morning periods.
Railway officials said that operations would continue to be reviewed daily on the basis of weather forecasts and ground realities.
Public Advisory Issued
The public has been urged to carefully plan travel during the winter periods and to be patient during weather-related travel disruptions. The authority has also warned passengers against using unverified information. In light of the continued effect of fog in Northern India, Indian Railways has reiterated that it would maintain a balance between maintaining a continuous operation and ensuring safety for passengers, and that required steps would be taken.
