13-Hour Block on Western Railway to Impact 80+ Trains in Mumbai
Commuters on Mumbai’s Western Railway network should prepare for significant disruptions this weekend, as over 80 pairs of suburban trains will be canceled due to a 13-hour block for essential re-girdering work on Bridge No. 5, situated between Grant Road and Mumbai Central stations. This critical infrastructure work is set to take place from 10:00 PM on Saturday, February 8, to 11:00 AM on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
During the block period, all Up and Down Fast line trains will be diverted to the Slow lines between Churchgate and Mumbai Central, leading to a major reshuffling of train operations. The impact will be felt throughout the Western Railway network, with a total of 13 pairs of suburban trains canceled on Saturday night and over 70 pairs of trains canceled on Sunday. In addition to the cancellations, several Churchgate-bound trains will be short-terminated or reversed from Bandra and Dadar stations. The re-routing of Fast trains to the Slow lines is expected to lead to significant delays and overcrowding on these services, adding further strain to the already busy commuter system.
Western Railway officials have advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance and explore alternative transport options if possible, given the anticipated disruptions. While the 13-hour block may cause inconvenience, it is part of a necessary upgrade to ensure the long-term safety and efficiency of the railway infrastructure. As Mumbai’s local trains are the lifeline of the city’s commuters, this temporary disruption will likely affect thousands of daily travelers, especially those relying on the Fast line services. Railway authorities have urged patience and understanding as they work to complete this critical task, which is expected to improve the network’s overall reliability in the future.
