Mumbai Local Train Services Mega Block: 22-Hour Disruption; What You Should Know About The Kasara Upgrades

In a bid to improve railway services, the Central Railway (CR) will carry out a significant 22-hour block at Kasara station this weekend, as reported by Hindustan Times (HT). The work is aimed at widening the platforms, shifting rail lines, and remodelling the yard. These enhancements are designed to facilitate smoother movement for both long-distance and suburban local trains.

The block is set to commence at 3 a.m. on October 20 and will conclude at 1 a.m. on October 21. To prepare for this major operation, CR conducted a precursor block on Thursday, lasting for 2.5 hours.

During the block period, there will be considerable disruption to train services. Eight local trains will be cancelled, and 22 suburban trains will be short-terminated at various stations, including Titwala, Vasind, and Asangaon. Additionally, train services will be halted at Atgaon, Thansit, Khardi, and Umbermali stations.

Passengers should also be aware that at least 25 long-distance trains will be either diverted or short terminated, with six trains being completely cancelled. To help mitigate the impact of these changes, the railways will provide additional two-minute halts for all Up and Down trains diverted via the Vasai Road route at Vasai, Bhiwandi, and Thane stations.

Central Railway operates a total of 152 services daily on the Kalyan-Kasara corridor. According to CR officials, one of the major improvements includes widening and extending the length of island platforms one and two from the existing 480 metres to 600 metres. This extension will allow the station to accommodate more passengers effectively. Moreover, the alignment of three rail lines used for goods and freight trains will be improved, facilitating smoother operations.

Currently, the 'bankers'-locomotives that assist in pushing the 50-56 wagon goods trains-do not have adequate space, often blocking other lines. By extending these rail tracks, CR aims to ease the movement of both suburban and mail express trains, allowing them to reach Kasara and beyond, towards Nashik.

However, the planned block has raised concerns among local commuters. On October 17, passengers faced significant delays when a two-and-a-half-hour block was enforced from 11 a.m. Many are anxious about the upcoming longer block, especially given the already limited number of trains operating on the Kalyan-Kasara route. Prafulla Shevale, president of the Kasara Karjat Kalyan Railway Passengers Association, voiced these worries in HT, stating, "We dread to think what will happen on Sunday. There are already fewer trains on the Kalyan-Kasara stretch."

Passengers are advised to check for updates regarding train schedules and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid inconvenience during this period of essential infrastructure work.