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Due to the ongoing sixth railway line project to improve passenger facilities between Borivali and Kandivali on the Western Railway in Mumbai, the railway administration has announced a major 30-day block. Approximately 80 local services will be canceled daily from December 20, 2025, to January 18, 2026, causing significant inconvenience to millions of passengers. Under this project, the fifth line will be completely closed, resulting in a complete shutdown of this service and disruption of the local train schedule.
Chief Public Relations Officer of Railways, Vineet Abhishek, stated that during the block period, the railway will work continuously from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM. The number of local services to be canceled will be determined based on the progress of the night's work, and this information will be published on the railway's official website, social media platforms, and at stations.
Due to the closure of the fifth line, mail-express trains and local trains will be rerouted via different paths. Some trains between Goregaon and Borivali will be released on the fast line, while some will not stop at certain stations. Although the railway is striving to make alternative arrangements for passengers, there is a possibility of increased crowding.
This block will remain in place even during the festive period of New Year's (31st December), which will be a major inconvenience for passengers. The railway administration has clarified that they will try to reduce the number of canceled services in view of the increased demand from passengers on this day. For employees dependent on the railway in a crowded city like Mumbai, this period will be difficult. The railway has appealed to passengers to use private vehicles and check the schedule. Although this project will increase passenger facilities in the long term, immediate difficulties may lead to criticism of the railway.