Mumbai: CR announces 72-hr mega block on suburban network during weekend

The Central Railway will carry out a 72hour mega block from the intervening night of Friday and Saturday for adding two new lines between Thane and Diva stations located near Mumbai on its suburban networkAt least 350 suburban locals and 117 mail express and passenger trains will be cancelled during the mega block period Central Railways CR chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said on WednesdayDaily commuters and outstation train passengers are likely to face hardship due to the block as many outstation trains along with suburban locals will be cancelled during the block period the CR said in a releaseThe CR said the block on its fast corridor between Thane and Diva stations will start from February 5 midnight and will carry on till February 7 midnightThe Central Railway will operate a special infrastructure block between Thane and Diva for cut amp connection works and commissioning of the new RRI building in Diva in connection with ThaneDiva 5th and 6th lines the release saidUnder the ambitious Mumbai Urban Transport Project MUTP the railway authorities are laying two new railway lines between Thane and Diva stations for the segregation of suburban and outstation trainsAccording to railway officials the much delayed project is expected to be completed soonOnce the project is completed it is expected to reduce the traffic congestion in the section besides allowing more suburban services to be added on the routeDuring the mega block few mail and express trains will also be shortterminated at Panvel and Pune Sutar said adding that to avoid congestion in the section DivaVasaiPanvel MEMU train timings have been changed A few have been cancelled and a few special MEMU services will be operated he saidWe have informed all municipalities concerned to arrange buses in the affected sections during the block period the official saidNearly 60 lakh commuters travel in local trains in the Mumbai surburban section daily and out of them over 30 lakh avail suburban services operated by the Central RailwayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever