CR to operate 72-hour block on CST-Wadala route over weekend

Central Railway (CR) will operate a 72-hour traffic block on the up and down Harbour line route between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and Wadala stations in two phases from February 19 to 21.

CR undertook this exercise to install infrastructural facilities to accommodate 12-car trains on the harbour line at CST and it plans to run 12-car service in phases from May.

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The first part of block will start at 1.30 AM tomorrow and will end at 1.30 AM on Monday on CST-Wadala route, CR officials said, adding no trains would ply from platform no. 1 of CST during the period.

Harbour line runs between CST and Panvel stations.

Phase two of the work will start from 1.30 AM on Saturday and end at 1.30 AM on Monday. This block will be from CST to Wadala stations.

Terming the CST block as "most important", a senior railway official said the work is being undertaken to convert Harbour line network from 9-coach to 12-coach trains and it will lead to cancellation of trains during the block period.

After completion of the block, harbour line trains would be able to transport more passengers with 12-coach trains, he said.

"CR runs a total of 590 services daily on the harbour lines, but on the first day of block, i.E. On February 19, CR would be able to run only 445 services. 178 services that originate and terminate from CST will be cancelled. Apart from it, trains may run few minutes behind schedule," Chief PRO, CR Narendra Patil said.

He apprised on February 20 and 21, there will be no service between CST and Wadala, both on the Up and Down directions.

To execute the work, CR will engage 300 labourers along with its full fleet of officers to supervise the work, another senior railway official said.

For the convenience of commuters, special services will run between Wadala-Andheri and Wadala-Panvel and Harbour line passengers with valid tickets or season tickets will be allowed to travel via Thane/Kurla/Dadar on February 20 and 21.