Mumbai: WFH this weekend as CR block means 930 trains cancelled

Do not travel by train on the Central Railway (CR) this weekend! The CR on Wednesday formally announced the cancellation of a whopping 930 local train services, short-termination of 444 services, and short-originating of 446 services between Friday and Sunday. Central Railway has requested all establishments to allow their staff to work from home or by any other means possible to reduce the number of passengers on these days.

Commuters waiting for the train at CSMT. Pic/Satej Shinde

They appeal to passengers to avoid travelling or to undertake travel only if necessary to reduce the crowd at platforms. CR said they had alerted BEST, state transport, and other local transport bodies for effective coordination. "On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Central Railway has planned a mega block at Mumbai CSMPT and Thane. There will be unavoidable cancellation of suburban trains. We request all establishments to give your staff the opportunity to work from home or by any other means possible to reduce the number of passengers on these days," CR Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila said.

Why is it required?
This block has been announced for the extension of platforms 10 and 11 at CSMT to accommodate 24-coach trains and the widening of Thane platform by 2 to 3 metres.

How much time?
The work at Thane will last 63 hours starting Thursday night, and the work at CSMT will last 36 hours starting Friday night, with both works completing on June 2.

What will happen to trains?
During the 63-hour Thane block period, all fast trains will be diverted to the slow platform. During the 36-hour CSMT block period, trains will mostly not be available between Byculla and CSMT on the main line and Wadala to CSMT on the harbour line.

Palghar line restored, passengers protest
"The track, which was affected earlier due to the derailment of the goods train at Palghar over the Mumbai-Surat section, has been certified fit at 5.30 pm with a speed restriction," Western Railway chief spokesperson Sumit Thakur said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, passengers of the Lok Shakti Express, which was detained for quite some time near Bilimora, got down on the tracks and protested against it. "All other express trains are being taken ahead and ours was detained for an unusually long time. Hence, passengers jumped on the tracks and staged a protest after which the train started," passenger Nilpesh Shah said.