The Western Railway has announced a 30-day operational block between Kandivali and Borivali stations from 20 December 2025 to facilitate the construction of a sixth railway line. The project, aimed at enhancing suburban rail capacity, will affect the schedules of both local and mail/express trains, with some services being short-originated, terminated, or rescheduled, and certain stops at Borivali temporarily skipped.
The sixth line, expected to be completed by late January 2026, will significantly improve train operations by separating suburban and long-distance traffic. Currently, the fifth line between Bandra Terminus and Borivali is fully commissioned, while the sixth line has been operational up to Goregaon since November 2022 and reached Kandivali in 2023. Once extended to Borivali, it will handle approximately 20 mail and express trains daily, reducing congestion on shared tracks. Shri Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, explained that the work involves track slewing, insertion and removal of crossovers, and upgrades to signalling and overhead equipment. “These engineering activities are essential for improving safety, reliability, and operational efficiency on the suburban network,” he said.
During the block, suburban, passenger, and mail/express trains will be regulated, and speed restrictions will apply on other operational lines. Mail and express trains will be diverted to the fast line between Andheri/Goregaon and Borivali, while the fifth line will remain suspended for passenger operations. Officials noted that night blocks, from 11 pm to 4:30 am, began on 20–21 December and will continue until 18 January 2026, affecting a substantial number of services. For example, between 21–25 December, 94 trains daily will be impacted, while 87 trains will face disruptions on 26 December.
Commuters are advised to plan travel accordingly, as delays and changes in train halts are anticipated during the block period. Urban mobility experts suggest that while the temporary inconvenience may affect daily routines, the completion of the sixth line will enhance commuter safety, reduce congestion, and support long-term sustainability of Mumbai’s suburban network. Western Railway has committed to providing timely updates, alternative arrangements, and clear information to passengers. The project aligns with broader urban transit objectives, improving rail capacity while facilitating more efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement across Mumbai’s growing metropolitan region.
Mumbai Western Railway Imposes Thirty Day Kandivali Borivali Train Service Block
