Mumbai and Thane, prepare yourself for major disruptions in travel as Indian Railways cancels hundreds of trains over the next three days, May 31 to June 2, for critical infrastructure upgrades. This massive undertaking will impact commuters and travelers alike, leading to significant chaos.
Starting with the Central Railway, a staggering 930 local train services and 72 long-distance routes have been suspended in Mumbai and Thane, affecting the daily lives of millions. This temporary suspension is due to two major infrastructure upgrade projects.
The first project involves a 63-hour maintenance block in Thane, scheduled from 12:30 AM on May 31 to 3:30 PM on June 2. This will affect the DN Fast Line from Thane to Kalva and the UP Fast and Slow Lines running from Kalva to Thane, along with all associated crossovers.
Simultaneously, a 36-hour block at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) will commence at 12:30 AM on June 1, concluding at 12:30 PM on June 2. During this period, train services between CSMT and Byculla, as well as on the CSMT-Vadala Road, will be halted. This interruption will particularly affect the UP and DOWN Harbour lines between CSMT and Vadala Road, as well as the slow and fast lines between CSMT and Byculla.
Typically, Central Railway is the lifeline of Mumbai, operating around 1,800 local services daily across four corridors, catering to over three million daily commuters. However, due to these cancellations, commuters will face significant challenges.
For those relying on suburban services, 161 services are canceled on Friday, 534 on Saturday, and 235 on Sunday. Additionally, 444 suburban services will be short-terminated—seven on Friday, 306 on Saturday, and 131 on Sunday.
To ease the burden on commuters, Central Railway officials have urged businesses to allow telecommuting during the block period. They have also requested the public to avoid unnecessary travel on these days, emphasizing the importance of these blocks for long-term infrastructure improvements.
The first phase of the CSMT Platform Extension Work involves extending the island platform, 10/11, necessitating a 36-hour block to perform non-interlocking tasks. This involves disconnecting track circuits, points, signals, and other signaling equipment, aiming to accommodate intercity trains to Pune and Nashik with up to 24 carriages.
According to Central Railway statistics, an average of 3.538 million passengers traveled by train daily in Mumbai during the fiscal year 2023. The impact of these cancellations will be far-reaching, affecting not only commuters but also businesses and the overall economy.
