UPI payments down and trains cancelled; passengers stranded at Delhi railway stations amidst CJP protest

Trains at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations were cancelled due to the CJP protest in Delhi. Internet shutdowns caused difficulties for passengers regarding UPI payments and access to travel-related information.

Security measures tightened in anticipation of the proposed protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi impacted rail passengers. Several trains at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations were cancelled, causing significant inconvenience to travelers. The suspension of internet services, in particular, made it difficult for passengers to make online payments or access train information. Consequently, many passengers were left stranded at the stations and had to seek alternative travel options.

According to an India Today Digital report, 23-year-old Abhinav, who was traveling to Varanasi, faced this predicament. He had forgotten his wallet at home; after buying a lemon soda at the station, he was unable to pay via UPI because mobile internet services had been suspended. He subsequently discovered that his train had also been cancelled, forcing him to wait at the station until 2 PM.

Why were trains cancelled in Delhi?

According to a railway official, over 170 trains have been cancelled today (Saturday). The Ministry of Railways had previously expressed concerns about potential heavy traffic congestion in the capital in a letter sent to railway zones on October 9. Officials feared that the influx of crowds on the roads during the protest could make accessing railway stations difficult. For this reason, a decision was made to cancel Mail and Express trains arriving at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 AM and 2 PM on October 10. According to reports, more than 5,000 passengers had previously missed their trains on October 8 due to traffic jams and road blockades caused by political protests in Delhi. The affected services included trains such as the Rajdhani and Vande Bharat.

Impact of internet shutdown on UPI payments

During this period, the passengers' woes were not limited to train cancellations; the scorching heat, security restrictions on the roads, and disruptions to digital payments further compounded their difficulties. Purchasing food and beverages became a particular challenge for those who relied on online payments.