Western Railway (WR) has started the process of operationalising the fifth and sixth line between Khar and Goregaon. However, this infrastructure upgrade will have a notable impact on train services from October 25 to November 4.
The initial works began on October 7 between Bandra Terminus and Khar stations. It is likely to get finished on November 4.
After the completion of this project, it will make way for separate rail lines for long-distance trains and suburban trains between Bandra Terminus and Goregaon. Once the line is extended till Borivali, it will help increase services by 20% on WR.
Currently, there are four lines, comprising two slow and two fast. The fifth line will be known as suburban train avoidance (STA) line. It is a bi-directional line with long-distance trains from Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus.
The sixth line will ensure a separation of mail/express trains and suburban trains. The crossover from the fifth to the sixth line will be provided at Ram Mandir station. It will help in the diversion of trains during any breakdown in services on the sixth line.
Railway authorities began with the cut-and-connect of rail tracks and other critical works, which will link rail lines and the signalling system with existing lines. This work is crucial for improving the punctuality of local trains, and will also give scope to add more services in future.
#RailInfra4WR
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) October 10, 2023
Laying of 6th line between Mumbai Central & Borivali station.
➡️1st cross over to 6th line from STA line laid at Ram Mandir.
▶️Ballast filling, dressing & boxing work done. pic.twitter.com/fTAG7SNOB4
However, the 29-day period will severely impact the almost 30 lakh Mumbaikars who use suburban train services daily.
A total of around 2700 services will be cancelled and about 400 services will be partially cancelled/short-terminated. Long-distance trains will also be affected, with at least 60 cancellations & around 200 partial cancellations /short terminations expected.
According to senior WR officials, until October 19, 10 train services will run with delays daily and two trains will be short-terminated on the Churchgate-Borivali/Virar route.
For five days from October 20, WR will tentatively cancel six trains every day.
From October 25 (Day 19-20), the WR authorities will begin cancelling anywhere between 100 and 400 services in a single day until the proposed last day of work on November 4. Platform 9 at Andheri station will be suspended from Day 14 until completion.
The highest number of cancellations (400 services) are likely to happen on October 28 and 29.
On the last day of the work, a 24 hour Mega Block will be undertaken from 21.00 hrs of Saturday to 21.00 hrs of Sunday, i.e. on November 4-5, 2023, at Bandra Terminus for the cut-and-connect of rail tracks, said another WR official.
The remaining corridor on the Goregaon-Borivali stretch is expected to be ready by June 2024. The fifth and sixth line corridor is expected to end at Bandra Terminus and not go all the way to Mumbai Central due to lack of space.
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