Central Railway Mega Block on Sunday and Western Railway Jumbo Block
Commuters in Mumbai should brace for some major disruptions this weekend as both Central and Western Railway undertake large-scale maintenance works. The scheduled blocks on Sunday, February 11, by Central Railway and Friday night, February 9, by Western Railway will impact train services across several routes, including the vital fast and slow lines, as well as Harbour lines. Central Railway’s Mumbai Division will implement a Mega Block on Sunday, February 11, to carry out essential engineering and maintenance work on its suburban sections. The block will affect the Matunga-Mulund fast and slow lines, as well as Harbour lines, between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. The details of the schedule are as follows:
Matunga-Mulund UP and Down Fast Lines (11.30 am to 3.30 pm)
- Down Fast Line (CSMT to Mulund): Trains leaving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) between 10.58 am and 3.10 pm will be diverted onto the Down Slow line at Matunga. These services will stop at stations between Matunga and Mulund and are expected to arrive at their destinations 15 minutes later than usual. Trains beyond Thane will be re-diverted back to the Down Fast line at Mulund.
- Up Fast Line (Thane to CSMT): Trains departing from Thane between 11.25 am and 3.27 pm will be diverted onto the Up Slow line at Mulund. These trains will halt at stations between Mulund and Matunga before being re-diverted to the Up Fast line at Matunga. This will also result in a 15-minute delay.
Harbour Line (CSMT to Chunabhatti/Bandra) (11.10 am to 4.40 pm)
- Down Harbour Line (CSMT to Vashi/Panvel/Bandra): Trains departing CSMT for Vashi/Belapur/Panvel between 11.16 am and 4.47 pm, and those for Bandra/Goregaon from 10.48 am to 4.43 pm, will be cancelled.
- Up Harbour Line (Panvel/Vashi to CSMT): Services from Panvel/Belapur/Vashi to CSMT (departing from Panvel between 9.53 am and 3.20 pm) and services from Goregaon/Bandra to CSMT (departing from Bandra between 10.45 am and 5.13 pm) will also be cancelled.
During this block period, special services will be operated between Panvel and Kurla. Harbour line passengers are advised to use the Main Line and Western Line stations for travel between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. Western Railway will also be implementing a 13-hour jumbo block between Grant Road and Mumbai Central stations. The work is scheduled from 10:00 pm on Friday, February 8, to 11:00 am on Saturday, February 9, with disruptions expected across several routes. Passengers will experience significant delays and cancellations as the fast line services will be diverted to the slow lines between Churchgate and Mumbai Central stations. During this period, several suburban trains will be cancelled, and others originating from Churchgate will be either short terminated or reversed from Bandra and Dadar stations. The overnight work is being carried out to minimise the impact on daily commuters. However, passengers are strongly advised to plan their travel in advance, keeping the likely delays and changes in mind.
Tips for Passengers
- Plan ahead: Both the Mega and Jumbo blocks are likely to cause delays, so it’s essential to check for updates regularly on the railway’s official channels or app.
- Use alternative routes: Harbour line passengers, in particular, may need to use the Main Line and Western Line services for travel during the Central Railway block.
- Allow extra time: Expect 15-minute delays, especially on the diverted trains, and be mindful of possible cancellations on certain routes.
With both Central and Western Railways undergoing critical maintenance work this weekend, commuters should prepare for disruptions and plan their journeys accordingly. While these blocks are necessary for the continued upkeep of Mumbai’s local train network, they can create inconvenience for the thousands who rely on these services daily. Stay updated and allow for extra travel time to minimise the impact on your plans.
