Commuters on Mumbai’s Western Line should brace for significant disruptions as Western Railway (WR) initiates a 35-day traffic block starting at midnight on August 27-28.
This extensive block is a crucial phase of the ambitious project to extend the sixth railway line between Goregaon and Kandivali, a move anticipated to enhance the city’s suburban rail network efficiency. A Western Railway official emphasised the need for this extended block, noting that while the work could have been completed in a shorter timeframe, the decision was made to stretch the project over 35 days to mitigate the impact on commuters. “A shorter block would have resulted in more severe disruptions and cancellations. By extending the work, we aim to maintain a balance between progress and passenger convenience,” the official explained.
During the 35-day block, the rail authorities have meticulously planned the work to coincide with non-peak times, minimising weekday disruptions. However, five major 10-hour blocks will be executed on the 5th, 12th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th days of the scheduled period, primarily during Saturday/Sunday midnights. These critical phases are expected to result in the cancellation of approximately 140 suburban services and the short termination of about 50 additional services.
Notably, the block period will pause during the peak Ganeshotsav festival from September 11 to September 17, ensuring that train services operate as usual during this culturally significant time. This strategic pause underscores WR’s commitment to maintaining service during crucial periods while advancing essential infrastructure work. The ongoing construction project aims to extend the current six-track system from Khar Road to Goregaon up to Kandivali, with future plans to expand further to Borivali by the end of the year. This expansion is expected to alleviate congestion on the fast corridor between Borivali and Khar Road, significantly improving the efficiency of suburban services.
Additionally, long-distance trains operating from Bandra Terminus will be rerouted to these newly expanded tracks, further reducing congestion on the existing network. To accommodate the extension, a new rail line has already been constructed on the west side of Malad, addressing the space constraints on the east side. During the blocks, the existing lines will be shifted westward using a cut-and-connect method, enabling a complete reconfiguration of the tracks.
Post-expansion, the new line will serve as the slow line for Virar-bound trains, while the current Virar-bound slow line will be repurposed for Churchgate-bound slow trains. The existing slow line for Churchgate-bound trains will be reassigned for Virar-bound fast trains, and the current Virar-bound fast line will become the Churchgate-bound fast line. The track presently known as the suburban avoiding line will be designated as the sixth line. This comprehensive reconfiguration aims to optimise traffic flow and improve the overall efficiency of the Western Railway network. As the 35-day block commences, Mumbai’s commuters are urged to stay informed and plan their journeys accordingly, recognising the long-term benefits of this significant infrastructure enhancement.
