Passengers on Mumbai’s Western Railway (WR) network should
prepare for disruptions this weekend as WR carries out a major infrastructure
upgrade. A 35-hour mega block has been scheduled between Kandivali
and Borivali stations from 1 PM on Friday, April 26, to midnight on
Sunday, April 28, to facilitate the re-girdering of Bridge No. 61.
This critical engineering task will involve replacing
girders on the 5th line, the Kandivali Carshed line, and the Yard line
located on the eastern side of the track. The operation is part of WR’s broader
initiative to enhance rail network capacity and allow smoother and more
frequent train services in the future.
Suburban Train Services Hit
According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations
Officer of Western Railway, the mega block will lead to cancellation of 163
suburban train services during the three-day period. Of these, 73
services will be cancelled on April 26, followed by 90 cancellations on
April 27. However, officials have ensured that Mumbai’s main Slow and
Fast lines will remain operational, helping to reduce the total number of
affected services.
“While the 5th line will be unavailable, we are maintaining
regular services on the Slow and Fast corridors to ensure minimum inconvenience
to commuters,” said Abhishek.
Impact on Mail and Express Trains
In addition to suburban trains, long-distance Mail and
Express trains will also be affected. Trains that typically run via the 5th
line will be rerouted to the Fast lines for the duration of the block.
Moreover, four major trains will undergo operational changes, including
either early termination or originating from alternative stations such
as Bhayandar or Vasai Road, instead of their usual origin and
termination points.
Western Railway has issued advisories and is working with
station authorities to ensure passengers are informed in advance to avoid
confusion and delays.
A Step Toward Long-Term Network Growth
Railway sources say that the re-girdering of Bridge No.
61 is an essential step toward future upgrades. The work is aimed at supporting
the eventual expansion of tracks and train frequency across Mumbai’s
high-density suburban corridor. With ridership steadily increasing, such
infrastructure projects are critical to meet future demands.
“The bridge work is vital for strengthening the overall
framework of the suburban rail network,” said an official involved with the
project. “It will facilitate the augmentation of more rail lines,
ensuring smoother operations and higher train capacity in the coming years.”
Commuter Advisory
WR has requested passengers to plan their journeys in
advance during the block period and check train schedules through the
official WR website, mobile apps, and station announcements. Additional staff
and signage are being deployed at major stations to guide commuters during this
time.
While the weekend disruption may cause temporary
inconvenience, railway authorities emphasize that the upgrades are a necessary
step toward long-term efficiency and safety. The work is part of WR’s continued
commitment to improve travel experience for the millions of daily commuters who
depend on Mumbai’s lifeline—the local trains.