In the wake of escalating military tensions on the western borders, the Indian government has imposed sweeping travel restrictions, airport shutdowns, train cancellations, and curfews to maintain internal security and ensure citizen safety. The conflict, which intensified in early May 2025, has forced the administration to take urgent national security measures.
These wartime protocols are affecting:
- Domestic and international air travel
- Interstate road and railway movement
- Visa issuance and passport services
- Movement in border states and curfew-enforced zones
In this comprehensive article, we break down the current travel bans, exemptions, helplines, and government advisories you need to know if you’re in India or planning to travel in or out of the country during this crisis.
⚠️ Conflict Zones and Travel Advisory Areas (May 2025)
As per the latest advisories from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the following regions are most affected by wartime travel restrictions:
| State/Region | Status | Restrictions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab (Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur) | High Alert | Curfews, air and rail ban | Military patrolling active |
| Jammu & Kashmir (Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu) | Lockdown | No civilian movement | NSA invoked |
| Rajasthan (Barmer, Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer) | Restricted | E-pass required | Strategic monitoring |
| Delhi NCR | Curfew | Night curfew: 10 PM – 6 AM | ID checks in place |
| Gujarat (Kutch) | Alert | Border sealed | Industrial vehicles exempted |
✈️ Complete List of Airport Shutdowns in India (May 2025)
Several airports, particularly near the Indo-Pak border and conflict-prone areas, have been closed for civilian operations and taken over by the military for strategic control.
🔒 Closed Airports (Civilian Use Suspended)
| Airport | City/State | Status | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee Intl (ATQ) | Amritsar, Punjab | ❌ Closed | Under Air Force control |
| Jammu Airport (IXJ) | Jammu & Kashmir | ❌ Closed | Surveillance operations active |
| Srinagar Airport (SXR) | J&K | ❌ Suspended | Airstrip reserved for defense |
| Pathankot Airbase | Punjab | ❌ No Civil Use | Fully militarized zone |
| Leh Airport (IXL) | Ladakh | ❌ Suspended | Strategic operations in progress |
| Jodhpur Airport (JDH) | Rajasthan | ❌ Closed | Restricted civilian access |
| Bikaner (Nal Airbase) | Rajasthan | ❌ Shut | Border combat activity nearby |
📢 All scheduled and chartered commercial flights from these airports have been suspended indefinitely. Only military aircrafts and official emergency flights are allowed.
🚫 International and Domestic Flight Bans
🛬 International Travel Restrictions
- Flights to and from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran are suspended.
- Air corridors over northwestern India have been shut.
- No-fly zones declared over Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and parts of Rajasthan.
- Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa services for select countries have been suspended temporarily.
🛫 Domestic Flights Affected
- Delhi Airport (IGI) remains open under strict surveillance with reduced operations.
- Flights to Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Srinagar, and Jodhpur are cancelled.
- Night flights to/from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jaipur are suspended due to curfew alerts.
✈️ Indian carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara are offering full refunds and rebooking for affected passengers.
🚂 Indian Railways Travel Disruptions
Indian Railways has suspended services in conflict zones and rerouted several long-distance trains.
🚧 Key Rail Disruptions:
- All trains to/from Jammu, Udhampur, Amritsar, and Barmer are cancelled.
- Military special trains are running on dedicated lines for logistics.
- Railway stations in Punjab and Rajasthan are under heavy surveillance.
- IRCTC is issuing automatic refunds for cancelled bookings.
🚗 Road and Interstate Travel Restrictions
Highways and roads connecting northern India to border states are under special monitoring.
🚙 Current Road Travel Rules:
- E-passes are mandatory for interstate movement to/from Punjab, Rajasthan, and J&K.
- NH-1, NH-15, NH-54, and NH-62 are partially closed for civilian vehicles.
- State buses in northern India are suspended; only emergency transit allowed.
- Private vehicles are subject to ID verification at border checkpoints.
🛑 Unauthorized movement can lead to detainment under wartime curfew laws.
🛂 Visa, Passport, and Immigration Updates
The Ministry of External Affairs has enacted emergency provisions for immigration control.
🧾 Visa and Passport Status:
- Visa issuance for Pakistani and Afghan nationals is on hold.
- Indian passport issuance in affected states is temporarily paused.
- OCI/PIO cardholders are allowed entry but must register with FRRO.
- Foreign nationals in red zones must report to their embassies.
🌍 Guidelines for Foreign Tourists in India
Foreign nationals currently in India are advised to follow these steps:
- Avoid travel to red and orange zones entirely.
- Contact your embassy or consulate immediately for situational guidance.
- Stay updated via the MEA Emergency Portal: https://www.mea.gov.in/emergency
- Carry passport, visa, and hotel booking copies at all times.
- Cooperate with local law enforcement during ID verification.
✈️ Several countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia have issued advisories for their citizens to defer non-essential travel to northern India.
✅ Who Is Exempted from the Travel Ban?
People allowed to travel with official clearance:
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Armed forces personnel | Official ID and clearance papers |
| Healthcare workers | Government-issued travel permit |
| Journalists | Accreditation card + war zone pass |
| Emergency transport drivers | Valid E-pass and cargo manifest |
| Government employees on duty | State-issued ID and emergency tags |
🧠 Wartime Travel Safety Tips for Citizens
- Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
- Download Aarogya Setu and mParivahan apps for real-time updates.
- Stay tuned to official state websites and PIB alerts.
- Keep an emergency kit, ID copies, and basic supplies ready.
- Use cashless payments to avoid ATM queues in restricted areas.
- Register with local authorities if you’re in a red or orange zone.
📞 Emergency Helpline Numbers (Verified Government Sources)
| Purpose | Number | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| War Emergency Travel Help | 011-23978046 | 24×7 |
| MEA Helpline (Foreigners/NRI) | +91-1800-11-8797 | 24×7 |
| Indian Railways IRCTC | 139 | 24×7 |
| Air Travel Support (DGCA) | 011-24632950 | 8 AM – 8 PM |
| Police Emergency | 112 | 24×7 |
| E-Pass Portal Queries | state e-seva numbers | Working hours |
🗺️ Relatively Safe Zones for Domestic Travel
| State/Region | Status | Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| Himachal Pradesh | Safe | Tourism partially open |
| Kerala | Safe | Normal operations |
| Goa | Safe | No curfew; airports functional |
| Karnataka | Green Zone | Domestic flights allowed |
| Maharashtra (except Mumbai) | Partially Safe | Avoid night travel |
📢 Legal Provisions in Effect
- National Security Act (NSA)
- Section 144 of CrPC in multiple districts
- Disaster Management Act (DMA)
- Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)
Violating curfew orders or attempting unauthorized movement may result in arrest and fines up to ₹25,000.
🧳 If You’re Stuck: What to Do
- Tourists: Call your hotel, local police, and embassy immediately.
- Students: Contact your educational institution’s crisis team.
- Residents in border states: Avoid relocation unless instructed.
- Corporate travelers: Inform your office HR and request evacuation help.
✈️ Government & Embassy Contacts
- Ministry of Civil Aviation: www.civilaviation.gov.in
- Ministry of External Affairs: www.mea.gov.in
- Press Information Bureau: www.pib.gov.in
India’s wartime travel restrictions are dynamic and subject to immediate change based on the ground situation. While national security remains the top priority, the government has taken steps to ensure safety, communication, and support for its citizens and visitors. Avoid unnecessary travel, follow official guidelines, and stay informed via trusted government sources.