Mumbai Western Block: Jumbo Mega Block to Disrupt Services on Western Railway This Weekend
Passengers traveling on the Western Railway line this weekend are likely to face significant disruption, as the railway authorities have scheduled a night jumbo mega block between Friday and Sunday. The block, required for the installation of a bridge girder between Mahim and Bandra stations, will affect hundreds of local train services and alter the schedules of several express trains.
334 Local Trains Cancelled, Major Changes to Train Routes
As part of the operational overhaul during the block, 334 local trains will be cancelled. Additionally, the movement of express trains will be affected. The Western Railway has urged passengers to plan their travel in advance to avoid inconvenience.
The first phase of the mega block begins on Friday night, April 11, with the following schedule:
Slow local (Up and Down): 11:00 PM to 8:30 AM
Fast local (Up and Down): 12:30 AM to 6:30 AM
During this period:
All slow locals departing from Churchgate after 10:23 PM and arriving towards Churchgate will operate on the fast line between Mumbai Central and Santacruz, skipping stops at Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Matunga Road, Mahim, and Khar Road.
Local trains between Churchgate and Dadar will operate on the fast track.
Trains between Goregaon and Bandra will use the Harbour line.
Services between Virar and Andheri will be on mixed slow-fast routes.
First Train Timings on Saturday, April 12
As operations resume post-block:
The first Churchgate-bound local will depart from Bhayander at 6:10 AM and operate on the fast line between Santacruz and Mumbai Central.
The first slow local between Borivali and Churchgate will depart at 8:03 AM.
The first fast local from Churchgate to Borivali will leave at 6:14 AM, while the first Churchgate to Virar fast local will leave at 6:15 AM.
The first slow local from Churchgate to Borivali will also depart at 8:03 AM.
Second Mega Block: Saturday Night, April 12 to Sunday Morning
The second phase of the jumbo block is scheduled for Saturday night, April 12, with operations affected as follows:
Slow local (Up and Down): 11:30 PM to 9:00 AM
Fast local (Up and Down): 11:30 PM to 8:00 AM
Key service changes include:
Fast locals will run between Churchgate and Dadar during this block.
Trains departing from Dahanu Road, Virar, Nalasopara, Vasai Road, Bhayander, and Borivali will terminate at Andheri on Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
The last Churchgate–Virar local will depart at 10:53 PM on Saturday.
First Trains on Sunday, April 13
Services on Sunday morning will resume with the following first trains:
Virar to Churchgate (slow local): 8:08 AM
Bhayander to Churchgate (local): 8:24 AM
Virar to Churchgate (fast local): 8:18 AM
Churchgate to Virar (fast local): 9:03 AM
Passengers Advised to Plan Ahead
Railway authorities have advised commuters to check live updates via Western Railway’s official channels and plan alternative arrangements if necessary. With such a significant number of cancellations and rerouted services, this weekend is expected to be challenging for daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike.