Railway Services Hit by BRICS Summit Security Measures
Passengers travelling to and from Delhi will face changes to several train services between September 11 and 13, as Northern Railway has modified operations around the New Delhi Railway Station during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
The summit is being held in the capital from September 11 to 13, with foreign leaders and senior delegations expected to attend. The heightened security arrangements have prompted restrictions on train movements through the Delhi division.
26 Trains Cancelled
Northern Railway has cancelled 26 train services during the three-day period. The cancellations primarily affect local EMU and other services connected to New Delhi and surrounding stations.
Among the affected services are trains operating between Palwal and Shakur Basti, Ghaziabad and New Delhi, and Delhi and Shamli.
Some cancellations are also linked to changes in the operation of connecting or “link” trains, meaning passengers may see changes to services beyond the train listed as cancelled.
More Than 25 Trains Diverted
In addition to cancellations, more than 25 trains have been diverted through alternative routes.
Several major long-distance trains are among those affected. These include the New Delhi–Ranchi Rajdhani, New Delhi–Dibrugarh Rajdhani, New Delhi–Sealdah Rajdhani, New Delhi–Howrah Rajdhani and New Delhi–Bhubaneswar Rajdhani.
The Sampoorna Kranti Express and other services will also operate through alternative routes around Delhi.
The diversions are intended to regulate movement around New Delhi station and maintain railway operations while security restrictions are in place.
Some Trains Will Start or End Early
Not all changes involve outright cancellations or diversions.
Some trains will have their origin or destination changed, meaning they will either start from or terminate at a station earlier than their normal destination.
Other services may be rescheduled or regulated, potentially resulting in delays. Railway authorities have also made terminal changes for certain services.
Passengers Advised to Check Before Travelling
The changes mean passengers travelling through Delhi during the summit should not rely solely on their usual train schedules.
Those travelling on September 11, 12 or 13 should check their train’s latest status before leaving for the station, particularly if their journey involves New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghaziabad, Sahibabad or other stations in the Delhi-NCR area.
Passengers whose trains are cancelled or diverted may need to make alternative arrangements.
Why the Railway Network Is Being Regulated
The railway changes are part of the wider security and traffic-management arrangements for the BRICS summit.
The movement of heads of government, senior officials and international delegations requires tighter control over several transport corridors in the capital. Delhi has already introduced extensive road restrictions and diversions ahead of the event.
The railway measures are therefore designed to ensure predictable train movement while accommodating the additional security requirements.
A Major International Event in Delhi
The 2026 BRICS Leaders’ Summit is being hosted by India in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from the expanded BRICS grouping.
With the summit coinciding with a busy weekend, the railway restrictions could affect a large number of passengers, particularly those using Delhi-NCR local services as well as long-distance trains passing through the capital.
Summary: Northern Railway has cancelled 26 trains and diverted more than 25 others between September 11 and 13 during the BRICS Summit in Delhi. Several Rajdhani trains, the Sampoorna Kranti Express and multiple EMU services are affected. Some trains will also be short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled as authorities tighten railway operations for the international event.
