Mumbai — In a move to ease the strain on daily travelers amid the impending Diwali festivities, Western Railway has scrapped its routine maintenance shutdown on the suburban network this weekend.
The decision, detailed in an official announcement released Thursday, means no mega block will disrupt services on October 19 across the local train lines. This comes at a critical time when festive preparations and family reunions are expected to swell ridership, according to railway spokespersons.
Typically, Sundays bring temporary halts for essential track and infrastructure repairs, but the authority has opted to postpone these activities to minimize disruptions for the city’s millions of suburban passengers. “The priority is to facilitate uninterrupted journeys during this high-traffic period,” the statement emphasized, underscoring the surge in commuter volumes during festival weekends.
Complementing this commuter-friendly adjustment, Western Railway unveiled plans earlier in the week for a dedicated festive service linking Valsad in Gujarat to Hisar in Haryana, tailored for Diwali 2025 and the subsequent Chhath Puja observances.
ALSO READ : Mumbai Rains: Multiple local trains on Western line cancelled
As outlined in a communiqué from the Public Relations Department of Western Railway, the initiative introduces Train No. 04728/04727 as a weekly special on a special fare basis, limited to eight round trips. The service is designed to accommodate the seasonal exodus, providing reliable connectivity for those heading home or to pilgrimage sites.
Departing Valsad every Thursday at 2:50 p.m., Train No. 04728 will arrive in Hisar the following afternoon at 2:05 p.m., with operations spanning October 16 to November 6, 2025. Its counterpart, Train No. 04727, leaves Hisar each Wednesday at 12:05 p.m., pulling into Valsad by 11:30 a.m. the next day, from October 15 through November 5, 2025.
Both directions will stop at key junctions such as Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Godhra, Dahod, Ratlam, Mandsor, Nimach, Chittaurgarh, Bhilwara, Bijai Nagar, Nasirabad, Ajmer, Kishangarh, Phulera, Ringas, Nim Ka Thana, Narnaul, Rewari, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, and Hansi. The composition features a mix of premium and economy accommodations, including First AC, AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, Sleeper Class, and General Second Class coaches to suit diverse passenger needs.
Bookings for outbound trips on Train No. 04728 are available at all Passenger Reservation System counters and via the IRCTC website. For comprehensive schedules and train configurations, travelers are directed to www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in.
This dual announcement reflects Western Railway’s proactive stance in balancing maintenance imperatives with the demands of a vibrant festival season, ensuring Mumbaikars and beyond can navigate the celebrations with fewer hurdles.
-
-
-
-
