Commuters on the Western Line of Mumbai’s local train network are set to face delays and significant disruptions as a 35-day mega block for the extension of the sixth line between Goregaon and Kandivali commences towards the end of August. This extensive construction project will lead to the cancellation of an estimated 650 to 700 train services over five weekends, impacting the travel plans of thousands of daily commuters.
According to a Hindustan Times report, an official has confirmed that the construction work for the 4.75 km stretch will not take place during the 10-day-long Ganesh Puja festivities. The work is tentatively scheduled to begin around August 27-28, impacting 700 services over the course of the mega block.
While the impact on commuters is significant, it’s worth noting that the number of cancelled services is significantly less than the disruptions caused by the Santacruz-Goregaon sixth line construction in November 2023, which led to the cancellation of over 2,500 services.
The construction will be carried out during 10-hour-long night blocks, primarily on Saturdays, with an estimated cancellation of 130-140 services each day. Weekday disruptions are expected to be less severe, with shorter block durations and fewer cancellations. “We have tried to minimize the inconvenience caused to commuters during the rest of the period when this infrastructure upgrade will be carried out,” said a Western Railway official, as reported by HT.
To further minimize disruption, there will be no blocks scheduled between September 7-17, except for a single night block on September 7. The five 10-hour mega blocks are scheduled for the 5th, 12th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th days of the block period, excluding the days during the Ganpati festival. The night block is expected to begin around 10-11 pm, depending on the day.
This mega block represents a significant undertaking aimed at enhancing Mumbai’s public transportation infrastructure. However, the inconvenience caused to commuters during the construction period is unavoidable. While efforts are being made to minimize the disruption, commuters are advised to plan their travel accordingly and anticipate potential delays and cancellations during the 35-day period.
