Central Railway will impose a 75-day traffic and power block at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) from October 1 to December 15, disrupting eight long-distance train services as redevelopment work moves to platforms 14 and 15 and stabling line 15.
The block is part of Phase-I of the CSMT redevelopment being executed by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). Train operations from platforms 14 and 15 will remain suspended during the work, which will include foundation activity and other essential construction works.
Seven trains terminating at CSMT will instead be short-terminated at Dadar. They are the 11002 Ballarshah-CSMT Nandigram Express, 12810 Howrah-CSMT Express, 12112 Amravati-CSMT Express, 11020 Bhubaneswar-CSMT Konark Express, 22120 Madgaon-CSMT Tejas Express, 22144 Bidar-CSMT Express and 22108 Latur-CSMT Express. The 12134 Mangaluru-CSMT Express will be short-terminated at Thane.
Central Railway had previously raised concerns about taking platforms 14 and 15 out of service because they handle another 16 to 18 long-distance services each day. The railway had sought the full reopening of platforms 16 and 17 before additional platforms were handed over for construction, citing the possible impact on long-distance operations.
The latest disruption follows a prolonged closure of platforms 16 and 17 for the same redevelopment project. That earlier block began on February 1 and was initially scheduled to last 85 days, until April 26. It was extended several times and continued until September 5, according to Central Railway. At different stages of that work, 10 to 14 long-distance trains were short-terminated at Dadar and Thane.
The Rs 2,450-crore CSMT redevelopment project was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2022. It envisages converting the terminus into an integrated transport hub while retaining the heritage character of its Victorian Gothic main building. The plan includes new buildings, an elevated deck connecting platforms, improved passenger facilities and commercial spaces.
The project’s original completion deadline of March 2026 has been extended to October 2028. Central Railway has said that RLDA will hand over platforms 14 and 15 for train operations after the current block is completed. Passengers travelling on the affected services have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
