MUMBAI: A total of 277 local train services will be cancelled and 150 partially curtailed for nine hours between Friday and Sunday as Western Railway will undertake major night blocks for the reconstruction of a bridge between Mahim and Bandra. The first night block is scheduled between 11pm Friday till 8.30am Saturday, and the second one will be from 11pm Saturday to 8.30am Sunday.
On Friday, the last slow Virar-bound local from Churchgate will depart at 11.58pm, and on Saturday, the last fast Churchgate-bound train from Virar will leave at 10.07 pm.
After 11pm Friday, all slow services from Churchgate will run on the fast corridor between Mumbai Central and Santacruz, and those departing from Virar, Bhayandar and Borivli will run on the fast line between Santacruz and Mumbai Central.
On Saturday, the first train on the fast corridor from Churchgate will depart at 6.14am, and on the slow corridor at 8.03am.
During the Saturday-Sunday night block period, both fast and slow services originating from Virar, Nalasopara, Vasai Road, Bhayandar and Borivli will run up to Andheri. The last fast local for Churchgate from Virar will be at 10.07pm, and slow local from Borivli at 10.22pm. The last fast Borivli-bound local from Churchgate will depart at 10.33pm, and last slow Virar-bound service at 10.26 pm.
The reconstruction of bridge number 20 between Mahim and Bandra is part of WR’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its infrastructure. While the project aims to enhance network safety and reliability, the large-scale suburban train cancellations and changes have raised concerns amongst passengers about the inconvenience that will be caused during peak hours during the weekend.
Several long-distance trains will also be cancelled or short-terminated. A few trains like Rajdhani Express and Vande Bharat will reach their destination late, said officials.