Indian Railways recorded a new level of train delays across Patna City and other parts of the country, with a sharp decline in punctuality reported in December.
Railway data show that train punctuality fell by 28.68 percent during the month. According to railway officials, the primary reasons for the decline were cold weather conditions, dense fog, and engine failures caused by technical issues.
Dense fog across several parts of north India in December significantly reduced train speeds, forcing services on many routes to operate with frequent halts. Reduced visibility led to long-distance trains reaching their destinations several hours behind schedule. The impact was most pronounced on routes passing through Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab.
Railway officials said cold weather also affected engines and signalling systems. Technical faults were reported in engines at multiple locations, leading to trains being halted en route or locomotives being replaced. Fog-related visibility constraints also required train speeds to be restricted for safety reasons.
Passengers were directly affected by the delays. At major railway stations across Bihar, including Patna City, passengers waited for hours as trains arrived late. Several passengers reported delays ranging from six to ten hours, with long-distance mail and express trains facing the maximum disruption.
The railway administration stated that passenger safety remains the top priority and that no risks can be taken during foggy conditions. As a result, trains are often operated at controlled speeds, and special operational guidelines are issued during periods of dense fog, which are mandatory to follow.
Railways said fog safety devices have been deployed in fog-prone areas, along with the deployment of additional loco pilots and technical staff. Continuous monitoring of train movements is being carried out from control rooms to reduce delays.
According to the weather department’s forecast, cold and foggy conditions may continue into the early days of January. In view of this, Railways have advised passengers to check their train status before travelling and plan journeys keeping possible delays in mind.
