New Delhi/Jammu: If you are planning to catch a train or flight on the first morning of 2026, be prepared for significant delays.
A blanket of “very dense fog” has descended across North India tonight, severely disrupting rail and air traffic. According to the Northern Railways, over 50 trains originating from or heading to Jammu Tawi, Katra, and New Delhi are running behind schedule by 4 to 12 hours.
The visibility at Delhi’s IGI Airport and Jammu Airport dropped below 50 meters late on New Year’s Eve, triggering the implementation of “CAT-III Instrument Landing System” procedures.
Train Delays: The Worst Hit Routes
Passengers waiting at Jammu Tawi and Katra stations are facing the brunt of the cold wave.
- Rajdhani Express: The Jammu-New Delhi Rajdhani is reported to be delayed by 4 hours.
- Vande Bharat: The New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express may see a rescheduled departure tomorrow morning (Jan 1) if fog persists.
- Other Trains: Key trains like the Jhelum Express, Malwa Express, and Pooja Express are crawling due to poor visibility in Punjab and Haryana.
Flight Advisory for Srinagar & Jammu
The Srinagar International Airport has issued an advisory for passengers traveling on January 1.
- Morning Flights: Early morning flights to/from Srinagar and Jammu are at high risk of rescheduling or diversion if the “Runway Visual Range” (RVR) does not improve by 9:00 AM.
- Check Status: Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have requested passengers to use the “Flight Status” tab on their apps before leaving for the airport.
IMD Weather Warning: “Orange Alert”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an “Orange Alert” for dense to very dense fog in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and the plains of Jammu for the next 48 hours.
- Visibility: Expected to stay below 200 meters until 10:00 AM tomorrow.
- Driving: Commuters on the Jammu-Pathankot highway are advised to use fog lights and drive slow.
Passenger Woes
“I have been waiting at Jammu station for 5 hours with my family. The display board just keeps changing the time,” said Amit Sharma, a passenger travelling to Delhi. Railways have set up additional “May I Help You” counters and are serving tea/snacks to passengers of trains delayed by more than 3 hours.
What Happens Next?
- Helpline: Passengers can dial 139 (Rail Madad) for real-time train status.
- Refunds: If your train is delayed by more than 3 hours, you are entitled to a full refund if you choose not to travel. File the TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) online immediately.
FAQs
No, it is not cancelled yet, but expect a delay in departure from New Delhi tomorrow morning due to fog.
Operations depend on visibility. Afternoon flights usually operate normally, but morning flights (before 11 AM) are often delayed in January.
Login to IRCTC > My Transactions > File TDR. Select “Train Late More Than 3 Hours” as the reason.
Disclaimer
This report is based on real-time data from the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) and Airport Authority of India updates as of 11:30 PM, December 31, 2025. Schedules are subject to change.
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