63-hour mega block to affect Mumbai local train services

The Central Railway will operate a 63-hour mega block from May 30 midnight for platform extension works on the Mumbai network, a move that will affect the services of local trains, the lifeline of the city, and the work schedule of lakhs of commuters. As services of local as well as long-distance trains are expected to be affected during the block period, the railways have appealed to commuters to avoid travelling by local trains, if not necessary. The mega block will be operated for platform extension and widening works at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai and the Thane station.
Similarly, as many as 930 suburban local trains and 72 mail express trains would be cancelled on Saturday, June 1, 2024 and Sunday, June 2, 2024 as Central Railway would be taking up a 36-hour block for platform expansion and yard renovation work at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Divisional Railway Manager of Central Railway, Rajnish Kumar Goyal asked the establishments to call only the staff which is necessary during the time of the block."The block at CSMT will start after midnight on Saturday, June 1 and during this block, the local services from CSMT to Byculla on Main line and CSMT to Vadala Road on Harbour line would be completely cancelled," Goyal said while speaking to reporters on Wednesday."While the block at Thane would start after midnight on Friday. There will also be an impact on 72 long-distance trains," Goyal said and added that on Friday, 161 locals will be cancelled while seven locals will have short terminations.He stated that the Railways has asked the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to operate additional buses for the convenience of passengers.
"Platforms 10 to 14 at CSMT are being expanded to run 24 coach trains and this work is in final stage. As the platform is being extended from about 305 to 382 meters, the carriages will also be extended and it subsequently will increase the passenger carrying capacity by 20 percent," the official said and concluded that the upgradation works include track work from route relay interlocking to electronic interlocking.CSMT is considered as the busiest railway terminus in the country. Nearly, 1,810 local trains ply on the main line and harbour line routes of Central Railway. More than 1,299 of them are operated to and from CSMT. Central Railway has currently undertaken the work to expand platform of Mail Express trains.