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From diverted Duronto trains to cancelled flights, June travel across India is set for widespread disruption as railway blocks and airline cuts begin affecting major routes
Travellers are being advised to verify schedules before leaving for stations or airports. (AI Generated)
Passengers planning journeys across India this June may need to double-check their schedules before leaving home, as both Indian Railways and Air India have announced widespread cancellations, diversions and frequency reductions affecting rail and air travel.
From large-scale railway maintenance blocks to international flight cutbacks linked to rising operational costs and airspace restrictions, several major routes across the country are expected to face disruptions through June and beyond.
Bilaspur Railway Block Triggers Major Disruptions
One of the biggest disruptions is unfolding under the South East Central Railway zone, where fourth-line development work at Bilaspur station has led to the cancellation of:
- 65 express trains
- 12 passenger trains
Additionally, several trains are being diverted or partially rescheduled due to the maintenance block.
Passengers travelling between Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal are expected to be among the worst affected.
Major Trains Facing Diversions And Changes
The following premium and long-distance services are among those impacted:
- Howrah-Pune Duronto Express (22222) and Pune-Howrah Duronto Express (22221) on June 11 and 15 will operate via Raipur–Titlagarh instead of the regular route.
- CSMT-Puri Express and Howrah-CSMT Express on June 11 and 13 will be diverted through Durg-Titlagarh.
- Mahamanavad-Howrah Express (22333/22334) will be affected on June 11 and 15.
- Pata-NLT Express (22340) and NLT-Pata Express (22369) are impacted on June 30.
- Tatanagar-Hatanagar Express (18009/18010) faces disruption on June 8 and 19.
Railway authorities have stated that the infrastructure upgrade is aimed at improving capacity and reducing long-term congestion on the route.
North India Services Also Hit By Maintenance Blocks
Separate disruptions are also being reported in North India due to maintenance work between Narkatiaganj and Gorakhpur Cantt.
Several passenger trains including:
- Train No 55097/55096
- Train No 55098
- Train No 55048/55047
have been cancelled on various dates through June 9.
A number of summer special trains have also been withdrawn temporarily, including:
- Lal Kuan-Kolkata Special (05060/05059)
- Delhi-Motihari/Sitamarhi Special (04010/04009)
Chennai And Tamil Nadu Routes Face Service Changes
Rail passengers in South India are also seeing multiple schedule revisions and cancellations.
- The Tirupati-Chennai Sapthagiri Express (16054) has been fully cancelled on June 19 and 21.
- Meanwhile, the Nagercoil-Mumbai CSMT Bi-Weekly Express (16352) is being diverted via Tirumalpur, Melpakkam and Tiruttani on several dates through June, skipping Arakkonam station.
- The Chennai Central-Ashokapuram Express (16551) will originate from Katpadi instead of Chennai Central between June 6 and 21.
Additional disruptions include:
- full cancellation of the Erode-Sengottai Express until the first week of June
- partial cancellation of the Madurai-Rameswaram Passenger between Mandapam and Rameswaram
Air India Announces Major International Flight Reductions
In what could prove to be one of the airline’s largest schedule pullbacks since the Tata Group takeover in 2022, Air India has reduced or temporarily suspended several international services between June and August 2026.
The airline cited airspace restrictions and exceptionally high jet fuel prices as the key reasons behind the changes.
North America Routes Face Sharp Cuts
Among the most significant reductions:
- Delhi-Chicago services have been cut entirely through October 2026.
- Mumbai-New York JFK flights operating via Rome are cancelled between June 1 and August 31.
- Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-Newark services are also being reduced.
- Delhi-Vancouver frequency has dropped from seven to five weekly flights.
- Delhi-Toronto services have been reduced from 10 to five weekly operations through July.
Singapore, Bangkok And Shanghai Flights Reduced
Several Asian routes are also witnessing frequency cuts and temporary suspensions.
Services Impacted Include:
- Chennai-Singapore flights cancelled between June 1 and August 30
- Delhi-Singapore reduced from 24 to 14 weekly flights
- Mumbai-Singapore reduced from 14 to seven weekly flights
- Delhi-Shanghai service suspended completely
- Delhi-Kuala Lumpur reduced from 10 to five weekly flights
- Delhi-Bangkok reduced from four to three daily flights
Vienna And Osaka Routes Temporarily Suspended
Air India has also temporarily suspended:
Meanwhile, routes connecting Frankfurt, Chicago, Vancouver, Melbourne and Singapore are seeing frequency reductions ranging from 15% to 30%. The airline clarified that international operations have not been suspended entirely and that flights to several major destinations continue to operate, albeit with revised schedules on select sectors.
How Passengers Can Check Latest Updates
Travellers are being advised to verify schedules before leaving for stations or airports.
Useful Platforms:
- India Rail Info Service Disruptions Page
- Air India Flight Cancellation Schedule
- IRCTC Official Website
Passengers can also use the IRCTC mobile app or railway enquiry platforms to check real-time train status and PNR updates before travelling.
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