Why Do Trains Get Delayed? Common Reasons & How to Plan Better!

Train travel is a way of life in India, whether travelling back home, visiting a new city, or daily commuting. Yet, a typical issue for most travellers is why trains usually get delayed. Knowing the cause of such delays will allow the traveller to be prepared and make better travel plans. With ixigo, you can get real-time tracking of trains and updates to remain up to date and make wiser travel choices.

Why Do Trains Get Delayed?

1. Busy Railway Routes

India has one of the busiest railway networks in the world. Some routes see dozens of trains passing through in a single day. When a single train runs behind schedule, it affects the train running status of other trains on the same track.

2. Weather Conditions

Extreme weather, particularly northern winter fog or heavy monsoon rains, can greatly affect train schedules. In these situations, passengers often wonder, “Where is my train?” With ixigo, you can easily track your train’s location in real time.

3. Technical Glitches & Signal Failures

Technical problems are common reasons for delays, from signal disruptions to locomotive issues. Such issues can affect the current status of train operations, leading to extended waiting times.

4. Track Maintenance Work

Indian Railways regularly carries out maintenance and safety checks. While essential, these can lead to temporary halts or diversions. To spot your train and know whether it’s affected, it’s always wise to check real-time updates before heading out.

5. Operational Priorities

Sometimes, express or premium trains are given preference over passenger or freight trains. This affects the train live running status of the less prioritised ones, causing unexpected delays.

How to Plan Better During Delays

Check Delay Trends

Before you start your journey, check the train delay status of your scheduled train over the past few days. This can help you decide if you need to keep buffer time or not.

Stay Updated in Real-Time

ixigo’s train delay status today provides updated information throughout the day, helping passengers decide whether to wait, reschedule, or book an alternative.

Use Alerts

Enable notifications on ixigo to get alerts for any train delay. It allows you to receive SMS or in-app updates based on data from Indian Railways.

Keep a Backup Plan

If you’re travelling during a high-risk season (e.g., monsoon or festival time), use the ixigo app for train delay checks across routes and look for alternative options if your current train is running late. You can book flights and buses using ixigo and also get great discounts.

Check Delays Before You Leave

Use ixigo to check train delay status before you leave for the station. It could save you hours of waiting, especially in remote stations where announcements may be irregular.

Train delays are unavoidable, but with the right information in your pocket, they do not have to be stressful. With ixigo, you can always be in the know, plan more, and make informed decisions at the moment. Whether it is checking the real-time status of a train, tracking live changes, or exploring alternatives, ixigo is present to help you travel smarter.