Bhubaneswar, Jan. 2: Dense fog conditions here today disrupted the operation of several trains and flights.

While a GoAir flight coming to Bhubaneswar from New Delhi was diverted to Calcutta, the landing of two Air India flights were delayed because of low visibility. Besides, several trains were cancelled due to dense fog cover.

Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport Sharad Kumar said visibility at the airport was very low due to dense fog for the past three days.

"Landing of aircraft at the airport is getting delayed because of poor visibility. Visibility at the airport was around 50 metres in the morning. That is the minimum level required for landing in low-visibility conditions. Today, a New Delhi-Bhubaneswar GoAir flight was diverted to Calcutta while two Air India flights landed after the visibility improved," said Kumar.

Dense fog conditions also led to cancellation of several trains from the state. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has suspended the Puri-New Delhi Nandankanan Express, which originates from Puri every Monday, for the period between January 11 and February 29. The train, which begins its return journey from New Delhi every Wednesday, will not ply between January 13 and March 2.

The ECoR has also suspended the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express via Jamshedpur, which begins its journey from Bhubaneswar every Tuesday, between January 12 and February 23. The train, which starts its return journey from New Delhi every Wednesday, will not ply between January 15 and February 24.

Similarly, the Puri-Haridwar-Puri Kalinga Utkal Express, which leaves from Puri every Tuesday and Friday, will not ply between January 8 and February 26. The return train from Haridwar, which begins its journey every Monday and Friday, will not ply between January 11 and February 29.

Travellers faced problems because of bad weather conditions. "I had come to book tickets for New Delhi, but it seems several trains have been cancelled. I need to attend a conference on Wednesday, and booking a last-minute flight will be very expensive," said Kishore Das, a corporate employee.

Foggy weather conditions prevailed in most parts of the state today. The regional meteorological centre, Bhubaneswar, has forecast dry and foggy conditions at many places in the state till January 5. The weathermen also predicted dense to very dense fog at a few places.

"Several districts, such as Dhenkanal, Angul and Jajpur, are likely to witness dense fog conditions for another three days. The fog would reduce the surface visibility up to 50 metres," said director of regional meteorological centre, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu.