Confusion and anger erupted at Muzaffarpur Junction on Saturday after passengers with confirmed IRCTC tickets discovered that their train had been cancelled. The special train 05219, scheduled from Muzaffarpur to Anand Vihar, Delhi, did not run, despite online ticket sales continuing on the IRCTC portal.
Until a month ago, the train operated daily before being reduced to a weekly service. Following a Railway Board decision, it was discontinued again on September 20, with a formal letter issued on November 4, 2024. Ticket sales at reservation counters had stopped, but the IRCTC website continued to issue e-tickets, misleading passengers.
Hundreds of travellers, many arriving from Sitamarhi, Shivhar, and Aurai, gathered at platform number four expecting the train’s 1:30 PM departure. Agitated passengers confronted railway officials at the enquiry counter, demanding clarity. The situation was eventually controlled by RPF and GRP personnel.
Station officials announced the cancellation at around 11 AM, but passengers said the absence of updates on the National Train Enquiry System app caused unnecessary hardship. “If the cancellation had been shown online, we would not have travelled all the way,” one passenger remarked.
Efforts to reach IRCTC PRO-cum-AGM VK Bhatia for clarification went unanswered. Officials confirmed that the train will remain cancelled until October 17 and will operate on seven dates between October 18 and November 31, running on Saturdays during this period.