Mumbai: Local Trains Suspended for 63 Hours
The Mumbai Railway has announced a 63-hour mega block starting on 30th May 2024 from midnight for the Main line, Central line, Harbour line, Trans-harbour line & Uran corridors.
Starting from midnight on May 30, 2024, Mumbai's lifeline, the local train network, is set to face a mammoth 63-hour halt. The Central Railway has declared a mega block to facilitate platform extension works at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane stations on the central line.
The extensive blockage will affect the main line, central line, Harbour line, Trans-harbour line, and Uran corridors, with all train services coming to a standstill. A staggering total of 72 mail-express trains and 930 suburban trains will be canceled, causing significant disruption to the daily commute of lakhs of Mumbaikars.
The cancellations will be spread across three days, with 161 suburban trains canceled on May 31, 534 on June 1, and 235 on June 2, 2024. Additionally, several mail-express trains will be either short-terminated or short-originated from various stations including Wadala, Dadar, Thane, Pune, Panvel, and Nashik.
The primary objective of the mega block is to widen the platforms at CSMT and Thane, facilitating the installation of more escalators and wider staircases for Foot Over Bridges (FOBs). The first phase of platform widening will commence at Thane's platforms 5 and 6 from midnight on May 30, followed by extension works at CSMT's 11th and 12th platforms from May 31 at midnight, with an estimated duration of 36 hours.
The railway authorities have urged Mumbaikars to avoid unnecessary travel during this period and explore alternative modes of transportation. Recognizing the inconvenience caused, the Central Railway has liaised with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to deploy additional buses for passenger convenience.
Given the disruption, most offices in Mumbai have either opted for a complete shutdown over the weekend or encouraged their employees to work from home. It is crucial for commuters to check the train schedule before venturing out and to plan their journeys accordingly.
As the city braces for this unprecedented halt in train services, cooperation and understanding from the public are paramount to ensure a smooth transition and the successful completion of the platform extension works.
