Mumbai commuters using Central Railway’s Main Line should expect service changes on Sunday, with a mega block scheduled between Matunga and Mulund for engineering and maintenance work. The block will affect both up and down fast lines from 11.05 am to 3.45 pm, while a separate block is planned on the Harbour Line between Kurla and Vashi.
According to the report by Loksatta – Mumbai, down fast local trains departing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus between 10.36 am and 3.10 pm will be diverted to the down slow line at Matunga. These services will halt at the scheduled stations between Matunga and Mulund before being moved back to the down fast line at Mulund for trains travelling beyond Thane.
The diversions are expected to add about 15 minutes to the journey for affected services. Passengers travelling on the Main Line during the block period will therefore need to allow additional time, particularly if they have connecting trains, appointments or other time-sensitive travel plans.
On the up line, fast local trains departing from Thane between 11.03 am and 3.38 pm will be diverted to the up slow line at Mulund. They will stop at the scheduled stations between Mulund and Matunga before returning to the up fast line at Matunga. These services are also expected to reach their destinations around 15 minutes late.
The work is being undertaken by Central Railway’s Mumbai division as part of engineering and maintenance activity. Such blocks temporarily reduce the number of available tracks so that railway teams can carry out planned work in sections that cannot be safely handled while regular fast-line operations continue.
The report also states that the Khopoli–Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus local scheduled to leave Khopoli at 1.48 pm will instead depart at 2.06 pm. This change adds 18 minutes to the announced departure time for that service.
Central Railway’s Main Line carries commuters between Mumbai, Thane and the suburban areas beyond Mulund, making Sunday maintenance schedules relevant to passengers even though weekend travel volumes are generally different from weekday patterns. The operational changes announced for the block are focused on diversions, additional halts and a revised departure time rather than a complete suspension of Main Line services.
The report says there will be no mega block on Western Railway on Sunday. Details of the Harbour Line block between Kurla and Vashi, including the affected services and timings, were not included in the supplied report. Commuters using that corridor should check Central Railway’s latest service communication before travelling.
