Mumbai commuters faced massive disruptions as more than 320 local train services on the Western Railway network were cancelled between December 26 and 29. The cancellations come as part of a major 30-day block for the construction of a sixth railway line between Kandivli and Borivli.
Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, told PTI that the block is also scheduled on January 10 to complete non-linking works, including upgrades to the signalling system. He assured that most work is conducted late at night and early morning to minimize inconvenience to passengers.
The ambitious project is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) and aims to separate suburban and long-distance train operations. Once completed, the new sixth line will run between Borivli and Mumbai Central, helping ease congestion on one of the city’s busiest routes. The 3–3.5 km stretch between Kandivli and Borivli is expected to be operational by December 18, offering faster and smoother travel for daily commuters.
Western Railway operates over 1,400 suburban local trains daily, connecting Churchgate in South Mumbai to Dahanu in Palghar district, covering a distance of more than 125 km. The new line is expected to significantly improve commuting efficiency on the Western Railway network.
Passengers are advised to plan their travel in advance and check for updates on train schedules during this period. The railway authorities have emphasized that the disruption is temporary and the project will greatly benefit the city’s suburban train operations in the long term.
