Mumbai’s Central Railway Announces 63-Hour Megablock, 930 Local Trains Cancelled
Mumbai, 30th May 2024: In Mumbai, the Central Railway (CR) has announced a comprehensive 63-hour mega block from Friday to Sunday, leading to the cancellation of 930 local trains. This mega block is essential for extensive maintenance and upgrades aimed at enhancing railway infrastructure.
A key aspect of the project involves extending platforms 10 and 11 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) by 120 meters to accommodate longer 24-coach trains for long-distance travel. This expansion necessitates the relocation of rails, overhead wires, and other essential equipment.
Furthermore, at Thane station, platform 5 will be widened from 10 meters to 13 meters to alleviate congestion and improve passenger flow.
These upgrades represent a significant advancement in railway construction techniques, utilizing advanced modular platform construction with pre-cast blocks—a first for Indian Railways.
The mega block will have a substantial impact on the CSMT-Byculla main line and the CSMT-Wadala harbour line routes, causing disruptions for commuters. Additional blocks will be implemented at Thane on the Kalyan-bound fast line and the CSMT-bound slow line.
To mitigate inconvenience to commuters, CR is coordinating with various transport authorities to provide additional bus services from BEST in Mumbai, TMT in Thane, and MSRTC up to Kalyan. Additionally, they are urging transport unions to maximize the deployment of autos and taxis around station areas.
In a collaborative effort, CR has requested Western Railway to avoid scheduling a mega block over the weekend and to maintain maximum services. Traffic police will also increase deployment to manage the expected rise in road traffic during this period.
