Inconvenience looms over the people of Mumbai as the railways have deemed Sunday as the day for repairs in their networks. Although the day usually sees fewer people using the services, the delay caused might affect the minority of people that choose to do so.
Whilst Mega Blocks are conducted on most Sundays, the Central Railway and Western Railway will conduct the Mumbai Mega Block on August 19 for the maintenance works of rail racks and other related works under both the Railway zones. While the Central Railway’s Train Block is called Mega Block, the Western Railway’s Train Block is called Jumbo Block.
A report in the Free Press Journal said that the time slots allotted are as follows:
WESTERN LINE
Borivali – Andheri (10:35 AM – 02:35 PM)
The Jumbo block shall be in force from 10:35 am to 02:35 pm on both up and down fast lines from both Borivali and Andheri stations for maintenance of tracks, signalling and over head lines. During the block, all up and down fast line trains will be directed towards the slow lines between Borivali and Andheri.
CENTRAL LINE
Kalyan – Thane Up Slow Line From 11:20 AM to 4:20 PM
Up slow/semi fast trains departing from Kalyan at 10:48 am to 4:14 pm will be diverted to the Up fast line between Kalyan and Mulund stations halting at all stations and further re-diverted to the Up slow line at Mulund station.
Down fast trains departing from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai from 10:05 am to 2:54 pm will halt at Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Bhandup, Mulund and Diva stations in addition to their respective scheduled halts and are expected to arrive destination 15 minutes behind schedule.
Up fast trains leaving Kalyan from 11:23 am to 4:02 pm will halt at Diva, Mulund, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar and Kurla stations in addition to their respective scheduled halts and will arrive at the destination 15 minutes behind schedule.
All Down and Up slow services departing from or arriving in Mumbai between 11:00 am to 5:00 pm will arrive destination 10 minutes behind schedule.
Up slow services will not be available at Thakurli, Kopar, Mumbra and Kalva stations. Passengers of these stations are permitted to travel via Thane, Diva, Dombivali and Kalyan stations.
Up Mail or Express trains running during block period will arrive destination 15 minutes behind schedule.
HARBOUR LINE
Kurla-Vashi Up And Down Harbour Lines From 11:10 AM TO 4:10 PM.
Down Harbour line services to Panvel/Belapur/Vashi departing from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 10.34 am to 3:39 pm and Up Harbour line services for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus/Vadala Road departing from Panvel/Belapur/Vashi at 10:21 am to 3:41 pm will remain suspended.
Special local trains will run on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus–Kurla and Vashi–Panvel sections during the duration of the block.
Harbour Line passengers will be permitted to travel via Trans-Harbour or the Main Line from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
As is expected, during the blocks, suburban trains shall be more crowded than usual due to the time lapses.
The mega blocks are essential for infrastructure maintenance and safety. All the passengers are requested to bear with the Railway Administration for the inconvenience caused.
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