Mumbai Train Alert: 63-Hour Mega Block to Cause Major Service Disruptions - What Commuters Need to Know

 

Infrastructure Upgrade Alert: Major Train Service Disruptions for Platform Extension

Mumbaikars, brace yourselves for a significant travel disruption. Central Railway has announced a massive 63-hour mega block starting at midnight on May 30th. This is to facilitate crucial platform extension works on the Mumbai network, which will impact local train services and potentially affect the schedules of thousands of commuters.

 Details of the Mega Block

The platform extension and widening efforts will focus on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai and Thane station. According to a Central Railway statement, the block will conclude at 3:30 pm on Sunday.

Central Railway has urged passengers to limit their travel to only essential trips during this period. "We aim to minimize cancellations but request passengers to limit travel unless absolutely necessary," the railway authorities posted on X (formerly Twitter).

 Key Points to Note:

1. Service Disruptions: Both local and long-distance trains will face disruptions during the block. Commuters are advised to avoid non-essential travel by train.

   

2. Block Schedule: According to Rajneesh Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager of Central Railway's Mumbai division, the 63-hour block for widening platforms 5 and 6 at Thane starts at midnight on Thursday. Meanwhile, a 36-hour block for extending platforms 10 and 11 at CSMT begins at midnight on Friday. These upgrades will eventually allow the installation of facilities like escalators and wider staircases for the Foot Over Bridge (FOB).

3. Train Cancellations: Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, reported that 72 mail-express trains and 956 suburban trains on the main and Harbour corridors will be canceled from Friday to Sunday.

4. Altered Routes: Several trains will be short-terminated and short-originated at stations such as Wadala, Dadar, Thane, Pune, Panvel, and Nashik.

5. Work from Home Advisory: To reduce passenger numbers, establishments are encouraged to allow staff to work from home during this period.

6. Extra Bus Services: Central Railway has requested additional bus services from Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to help passengers during the mega block.

7. CSMT Platform Extensions: Platforms 10 and 11 at CSMT have been extended to accommodate 24-coach trains, up from the previous 16-coach capacity. While most extension work is complete, the mega block will focus on non-interlocking tasks related to track changes.

8. Infrastructure Upgrades: The blocks are essential for long-term infrastructure improvements. Passengers are requested to bear with the inconvenience for future benefits.

9. Pre-cast Blocks in Thane: Construction in Thane is expedited using hollow pre-cast blocks, significantly reducing the time needed for platform construction, which typically takes six months.

10. Additional BEST Services: BEST plans to run 254 extra services on nine routes with 43 additional buses during the mega block to accommodate the increased passenger load.

This infrastructure upgrade is vital for enhancing the overall capacity and efficiency of Mumbai's railway network. While it may cause short-term inconvenience, the long-term benefits will include better facilities and improved travel experiences for all commuters.