WR Cancels Over 163 Train Services Between April 26-28 for Bridge Maintenance

Serious Rail Disruptions to be Experienced on Western Railway as Major Bridge Construction Commences

MUMBAI: Passengers on trains that run through Western Railway (WR) section of tracks ought to get ready for major hassles between April 26 and April 28. WR administration has decided to make a big rail block from 35 hours involving Kandivali to Borivali stations to provide necessary space to complete major engineering. Starting Friday afternoon, 1 PM on April 26, and until April 28 night, midnight, the rail block is called upon to support Bridge No. 61, that lies in-between these two stations.

This mass-scale operation includes replacing the girders above the 5th line, the Kandivali Carshed line, and the eastern side’s Yard line. The construction is part of an on-going infrastructure development project to increase the capacity of the rail network to handle increased numbers of trains in the future, ultimately benefiting the increased number of commuters in the area.

As a direct consequence of this blockade, suburban railway services will suffer heavily, with a projected cancellation of 73 services on April 26 and another 90 services on April 27. WR’s chief public relations officer Vineet Abhishek stated that while the 5th line will suffer, the major Slow and Fast lines will still be operational, which will have some effect on reducing the total cancellation figures.

In order to handle the expected disruptions, Mail and Express trains normally running on the 5th line will be re-routed onto the Fast lines throughout the block hours. Nevertheless, the effects will not stop there. Four long-distance trains will also see operations changed, terminating earlier or leaving from substitute stations like Bhayandar and Vasai in place of their normal terminals.

Sources at WR underscored that re-girdering Bridge No. 61 is critical to enable planned upgrades to the rail networks. The upgrade will facilitate more train movement, essentially enhancing the efficiency and capacity of this highly utilized suburban corridor.

Commuters are requested to visit the latest information and plan their trips appropriately during this time of intensive infrastructure activity.