The Central Railway (CR) will initiate a 63-hour mega block starting from midnight on May 30, for extensive platform extension works on the Mumbai network. This is set to significantly impact local train services and the schedules of millions of commuters. Authorities have urged passengers to avoid non-essential travel during this period.
This block is necessary for platform extension and widening works at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane stations.
Major train cancellations and platform upgrades starting Thursday midnight
Rajneesh Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager of Central Railway’s Mumbai division, announced at a press conference that Platforms 5 and 6 at Thane will undergo widening works, beginning from Thursday midnight. Concurrently, a 36-hour block for the extension of Platforms 10 and 11 at CSMT will commence from Friday midnight.
Due to the mega block, 72 mail-express trains and 956 suburban trains on the main and Harbour corridors will be cancelled from Friday to Sunday, according to Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railways. Several trains will be short-terminated and short-originated from various stations, including Wadala, Dadar, Thane, Pune, Panvel, and Nashik.
Nila urged commuters to avoid non-essential travel and requested employers to facilitate work-from-home arrangements to reduce passenger congestion. The Central Railway has also coordinated with Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to provide additional bus services for passenger convenience.
Mega block to conclude on Sunday by 3:30 PM
The mega block is scheduled to conclude by 3:30 PM on Sunday. The extensions will enable platforms at CSMT to accommodate longer trains and provide better facilities, while the widening at Thane aims to alleviate overcrowding. The Central Railway has requested patience from passengers, emphasising that these upgrades are essential for long-term benefits.
