Mumbai Local Train Updates: 19-Hour Mega Block On Central Railway, Night Maintenance On Western Line, And AI Integration Plans

Central Railway’s 19-Hour Block at Kharbao

The Mumbai Division of Central Railway will impose a special 19-hour traffic and power block at Kharbao starting at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 21, and ending at 7:30 am on Sunday, February 22. The block is required for commissioning new Up and Down goods lines under the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) project.The disruption will affect several suburban and passenger services, leading to cancellations of multiple MEMU trains and regulation of others. Mail/Express and passenger trains passing through the section during the block period are likely to run 25-30 minutes late.

Cancelled MEMU Trains

Down direction:

• 69161 Panvel–Dahanu Road MEMU (JCO February 21)
• 61006 Diva–Vasai Road MEMU (JCO February 21)
• 61002 Dombivli Central Cabin–Boisar MEMU (JCO February 22)

Up direction:

• 61007 Vasai Road–Diva MEMU (JCO February 21)
• 69166 Vasai Road–Panvel MEMU (JCO February 21)
• 61001 Boisar–Vasai Road MEMU (JCO February 22)
• 61003 Vasai Road–Diva MEMU (JCO February 22)

Regulated Trains

• 69164 Dahanu Road–Panvel MEMU (JCO February 22) will be regulated for 10 minutes at Kaman Road.
  
• 22178 Secunderabad–Rajkot Express (JCO February 21) will be regulated for 1 hour 30 minutes at Bhiwandi Road.

Railway officials have stated that the block is essential for infrastructure upgrades and operational safety. Passengers are requested to plan their journeys accordingly and cooperate with the railway administration during this temporary disruption.

Western Railway Night Block Details

Western Railway has clarified that no daytime block will be taken on Sunday over the Mumbai suburban section, ensuring normal services for daily commuters.However, a four-hour maintenance block will be operated on the Up and Down Slow lines between Vasai Road and Virar from 12:15 am to 4:15 am on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday for track, signalling, and overhead equipment maintenance.

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A separate major block on all lines between Borivali and Dahisar will be taken from 2:10 am to 4:10 am for launching a new foot over bridge (FOB) girder.During the Vasai Road-Virar block, Slow line suburban trains will run on Fast lines. The FOB girder work will cause delays or cancellations to some suburban and Mail/Express trains.

Affected Long-Distance Trains

• 19038 Avadh Express (Barauni–Bandra Terminus): Delayed by 1 hour between Virar and Bhayandar.
  
• 22946 Saurashtra Mail (Okha–Mumbai Central): Delayed by 45 minutes between Virar and Bhayandar.
  
• 22904 AC Superfast Express (Bhuj–Bandra Terminus): Delayed by 20 minutes between Surat and Virar.
  
• Virar–Churchgate locals 90006 and 90018: Delayed by 15 minutes each from Virar.

Some suburban services will also be cancelled during the block period.Western Railway has advised passengers to check with station masters for complete details and confirmed that all daytime suburban trains on Sunday will operate as per regular schedule.

Western Railway to Integrate AI into Train Management System

Western Railway’s Train Management System (TMS) will soon incorporate artificial intelligence to make train operations smoother and more efficient. The upgraded system is currently in the tendering stage and will feature colour-coding of trains and alarms for delays.

At present, Western Railway operates local trains from Churchgate to Virar at peak headways of about three minutes. Control room staff monitor real-time train movements through the TMS, which is linked to signalling and traction power supply systems, rather than depending solely on printed timetables.

Large display panels in the control room show occupied sections, available platforms, and late-running trains on a real-time basis, enabling quick decisions that keep suburban services safe and on schedule.