Mumbai: 35-day mega block on western line from August 27; Nearly 700 trains to be cancelled
Mumbai: 35-day mega block on western line from August 27; Nearly 700 trains to be cancelled
The need for extending the sixth line till Borivali assumes importance because it will ensure that long-distance trains stay away from the fast lines of suburban rail.
Western Railway (WR)’s Mumbai division has announced a 35-day mega block for the extension of the sixth line between Goregaon and Kandivali. The block is likely to be effective from Tuesday night, August 27.
Therefore, during this period, nearly 650-700 daily local trains will be cancelled on the western line. The number is significantly less when compared to the work on Santacruz-Goregaon sixth line in November 2023, which led to the cancellation of more than 2,500 services.
The officials said that work on the 4.75 km stretch will not be done during the 10-day Ganeshotsav.
Explaining further, an official said that railways have scheduled 10-hour-long mega blocks at night, mainly on Saturdays, for five days, when we expect cancellations of 130-140 services each day. During weekdays there will be far fewer cancellations as the blocks will be up to 5 hours at night.
“We have tried to minimise the inconvenience caused to commuters during the rest of the period when this infrastructure upgrade will be carried out,” officials added.
The night block is expected to begin at 10-11 pm depending on the day of the block. Sources said between September 7-17, they will not be carrying out blocks except for on September 7 at night from 10 am to 8 am.
As per the probable schedule, the five mega blocks of 10 hours will be on the 5th day, 12th day, 16th, 23rd and 30th day of the block (excluding the days during the Ganpati festival).
The new platform and railway track line for CSMT and Panvel trains are already built on the Malad railway station beside platform number 1 west side. A fifth rail line called a suburban track avoiding (STA) line for long-distance trains exists on the Santacruz-Borivali route.
As per the officials’ plan, this new rail line will be converted into a slow line for Virar bound trains, the existing Virar bound Slow line will then be used for Churchgate bound Slow trains. The existing Slow line for Churchgate bound trains will cater to Virar bound Fast trains, the tracks used by Virar bound fast line will then cater to Churchgate bound fast trains, the Fast line to Churchgate will be the 5th line and the STA line will be the 6th line.
The need for extending the sixth line till Borivali assumes importance because it will ensure that long-distance trains stay away from the fast lines of suburban rail.
Key dates and cost:
Cost of Mumbai Central-Borivali 5th-6th lines: Rs 918 crore
August 2024: Work on 6th line on Goregaon-Kandivali to be completed
December 2024: Work on 6th line on Borivali-Kandivali to be completed
Work first started: 2008
