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This is an archive article published on December 18, 2021

Mumbai: Central Railway to operate mega block between Thane and Diva on Sunday for infra upgrade

🔴 Thane-Diva is the busiest section of the suburban network of the Central Line. The 9-km stretch between Thane and Diva has only four existing lines which is less as compared to the other stretches where there are six to eight lines.

A single journey up to 10 km in the AC coaches costs Rs 35 only. (File)

The Central Railway will operate a special infrastructure block between Thane and Diva on coming Sunday for commissioning the 5th and 6th line between Thane-Diva railway stations and crossovers at Diva (north side) for diversion of trains, railway officials said.

In 2008, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) had planned the fifth and sixth line between Thane and Diva under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-2 (MUTP-2) in which an additional 9.9-km railway line was supposed to be laid between Thane and Diva railway stations.

The work is likely to get completed only around January this year.

Thane-Diva is the busiest section of the suburban network of the Central Line. The 9-km stretch between Thane and Diva has only four existing lines which is less as compared to the other stretches where there are six to eight lines. Having only four lines on the Thane and Diva station stretch creates bottlenecks that obstruct and delay local, suburban and outstation trains.

The block will be operated on Up and Down slow lines from 8 am on Sunday (December 19, 2021) to 2 am (December 20, 2021).

“Suburban services will not be available at Kalva and Mumbra stations during the block period. Passengers boarding from Kopar and Thakurli stations are advised to board trains from Dombivali and Kalyan, respectively. The railway administration has decided to run buses in coordination with Thane and Kalyan-Dombivali Transport Undertakings for the benefit of passengers,” said an official adding that 14 express trains commencing on Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be cancelled while two trains will be short terminated.

According to the officials, owing to the block, Up slow/semi-fast services to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) leaving Kalyan from 7.47 am to 23.52 pm will be diverted on Up fast line between Diva and Mulund skipping halt at Mumbra and Kalva. The trains will again be re-diverted on Up slow line at Mulund station and reach the destination 10 minutes behind schedule.

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The official said that Down slow/semi-fast services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus leaving Mulund between 7.42 am to 01.15 am (December 20, 2021) will be diverted on Down fast line between Mulund and Diva stations skipping halt at Kalva and Mumbra; and will be re-diverted on Down slow line at Diva station and reach destination 10 minutes behind schedule.

“Passengers are requested to bear with the railway administration for the inconvenience caused due to this infrastructure block,” Shivaji Sutar, the Central Railway CPRO, said.

Meanwhile, the Central Railway will also operate a Mega block on the Harbour line on Sunday for maintenance work.

The official said the block will be between the CSMT and Chunabhatti/Bandra Down Harbour line from 11.40 am to 4.40 pm and Chunabhatti/Bandra CSMT Up Harbour line from 11.10 am to 4.10 pm.

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Down Harbour line services to Vashi/Belapur/Panvel leaving CSMT Mumbai/ Vadala Road from 11.16 am to 4.47 pm and Down Harbour line services to Bandra/Goregaon leaving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai from 10.48 am to 4.43 pm will remain suspended.

Up Harbour line services for CSMT Mumbai leaving Panvel/Belapur/Vashi from 9.53 am to 3.20 pm and Up Harbour line services for the CSMT leaving from Goregaon/Bandra from 10.45 am to 5.13 pm will remain suspended.

“Special services will run between Panvel and Kurla (Platform No. 8) during the block period. Harbour line passengers are permitted to travel via Main Line and Western Railway from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm during block period,” Sutar added.

Cancellation of Express Trains Commencing Journey on 18.12.2021 (Saturday)

12112 Amravati-Mumbai Express

17611 Nanded-Mumbai Express

11030 Kolhapur-Mumbai Koyna Express

Cancellation of Express Trains Commencing Journey on 19.12.2021 (Sunday)

11007/11008 Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai Deccan Express

12109/12110 Mumbai-Manmad-Mumbai Panchvati Express

12071/12072 Mumbai-Jalna-Mumbai Janshatabdi Express

11401 Mumbai-Adilabad Nandigram Express

12123/12124 Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai Deccan Queen

12111 Mumbai-Amravati Express

11139 Mumbai-Gadag Express

17612 Mumbai-Nanded Express

11029 Mumbai-Kolhapur Koyna Express

Cancellation of Express trains Commencing Journey on 20.12.2021 (Monday)

11402 Adilabad-Mumbai Nandigram Express

11140 Gadag-Mumbai Express

Short termination/Short origination of Express trains

17317 Hubballi-Dadar Express JCO will be short terminated at Pune (18.12.2021) and 17318 Dadar-Hubballi Express JCO will short originate from Pune (19.12.2021).

Vallabh Ozarkar

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More

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