31 May,2024 01:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Railway officials, linemen along with contract labourers working amid 63-hour mega block/ Satej Shinde
Commuters on Central Railway's local trains experienced delays and overcrowding on Friday morning as a 63-hour mega block began to widen platforms at Thane station.
According to the PTI report, the 63-hour mega block, which began at midnight on Thursday, has halted services along the Central Railway's major corridor, inconveniencing thousands of office workers. Commuters reported up to 30-minute delays, packed trains, and jammed platforms at key stations.
The 63-hour mega block aims to extend platforms 5 and 6 at Thane Station. As a result, at least six long-distance trains and 161 local routes were cancelled on Friday, reported PTI.
Railway officials predicted delays and overcrowding, advising passengers to avoid train travel unless necessary during the 63-hour mega block period. They've also requested public and private firms to let their employees work from home or offer other transportation during the block period. State and local transport agencies have been asked to run additional buses.
According to a senior official, 72 long-distance and 930 suburban services would be cancelled between Friday and Sunday during the 63-hour mega block.
A Central Railway spokeswoman stated that several tasks were done ahead of schedule, which should assist in ameliorating the situation shortly, PTI reported.
"The track slewing work (shifting track sideways from its normal position) at Thane station has been completed. Tamping (packing ballast under the track) and blasting of the track are currently in progress. The up slow line was declared fit at 08.04 am, well ahead of its scheduled time of 12.30 pm," he said.
Currently, local trains considered the lifeline of Mumbai, are running 15 to 20 minutes behind schedule, but the situation was expected to improve by 10:30 am.
