Mumbai's Suburban Rail Network Faces Weekend Mega Blocks

Western Railway will operate weekend mega blocks between Goregaon and Kandivali stations from August 27 to October 6 to complete a 4.5 kilometre 6th line. The work will cause cancellations and delays but aims to enhance capacity and improve punctuality for long-distance trains.

Suburban commuters in Mumbai are set to experience significant inconvenience as Western Railway embarks on a series of mega blocks over upcoming weekends. The disruptions, occurring between Goregaon and Kandivali stations, aim to complete the 4.5-kilometre 6th line extension over a 35-day span starting August 27.

A release issued by Western Railway on Monday detailed that five 10-hour weekend mega blocks will be undertaken until October 6, aimed at minimizing passenger inconvenience. The work is set to pause from September 11 to 17 to accommodate the Ganpati festival, according to Western Railway General Manager Ashok Kumar Misra.

Due to spatial constraints at Malad station, the new line will be laid on the west side and existing tracks will shift accordingly. This will affect long-distance trains and result in the cancellation of approximately 100-140 suburban services on weekends. Additionally, select trains from Bandra Terminus will face delays of up to 45 minutes during night hours on certain dates. Once complete, the extended line will provide a dedicated corridor for long-distance trains, easing congestion and improving punctuality for commuters.

(With inputs from agencies.)