Mumbai: Passengers travelling on Western Railway should brace for delays after heavy rainfall in Gujarat’s Vapi-Udwada section disrupted normal train operations on Wednesday. Railway authorities have regulated train movement in the affected stretch as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety, resulting in delays to several down direction long distance trains.
The disruption comes amid intense monsoon activity across parts of Gujarat, where continuous rainfall has affected rail operations. According to Western Railway, train services are being operated under regulated conditions between Vapi and Udwada until weather conditions improve and tracks are declared safe for normal movement.
Railway officials said the decision to regulate operations was taken to prioritise passenger safety. During periods of heavy rain, trains are often required to reduce speed in vulnerable sections to minimise risks associated with waterlogging, poor visibility and track safety.
While long distance trains passing through the Vapi-Udwada section are likely to be delayed, Western Railway has clarified that Mumbai’s suburban train network remains unaffected. Local services on the Churchgate-Dahanu corridor, along with Harbour Line services between Mahim and Goregaon, continue to operate as per schedule, offering relief to lakhs of daily commuters.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of Gujarat and the Konkan region, raising concerns over further disruption to transport services. Authorities have advised people travelling by rail to monitor weather updates and check the latest train running status before heading to stations.
Western Railway has urged passengers to remain patient and cooperate with railway staff as efforts continue to minimise delays and restore normal operations at the earliest. Travellers can track their train’s live running status through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), the RailMadad portal, or the official Indian Railways enquiry services.
The Vapi-Udwada section is a crucial part of the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor, carrying hundreds of passenger and freight trains every day. During the monsoon season, this stretch frequently witnesses speed restrictions whenever heavy rainfall leads to water accumulation or reduced visibility, making temporary regulation of train operations a standard safety protocol.
Railway officials are closely monitoring the situation, and train movement is expected to return to normal once rainfall subsides and the affected section is declared fit for unrestricted operations. Until then, passengers are advised to allow extra travel time and stay updated through official railway announcements.
ALSO READ: Mumbai Monsoon Update: Rainfall Likely To Increase From Tommorow