Mumbaikars, brace for 8-hour block on CR on Sunday

The block will be undertaken to launch girders for the new 12-metre wide foot overbridge at Parel station.

The Central railway (CR) has cancelled its scheduled maintenance mega block between Kalyan and Thane stations on Sunday and will undertake an eight-hour long traffic and power block on the main line, in order to launch girders for the new 12-metre wide foot overbridge (FOB) being built at Parel station.

The block on CR will be observed for launching nine girders for the Parel foot overbridge. (HT File)

The south-bound (Up) fast line will remain unavailable because of the block. According to the statement released by CR, the traffic and power block will begin from 8.30am and will last till 4.30pm. Nine girders will be laid between platform number three and four to the eastern end of the Parel station.

The CR said because of the traffic and power block, suburban locals on Up fast lines will be diverted to Up slow lines between Matunga and Byculla stations during the block. As a result, suburban services on the main line are likely to run late, causing troubles to the suburban commuters.

The CR said the routine five-hour maintenance mega block planned between Thane and Vashi/ Nerul on the Trans-harbour corridor, from 11.10am to 4.10pm, will be conducted as per the original plan. Earlier, the CR had planned a five-hour long mega block on the Up slow line between Kalyan and Thane stations from 11.20am to 4.20pm.

Railway authorities said 12 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-bound mail-express trains including Sinhagad Express, Pragati Express, Deccan Queen, Panchwati Express, Sahyadri Express and Sewagram Express will be diverted to the Up slow corridors because of the block. Hence, these trains will run 15-20 minutes late. These long-distance trains will not halt at Dadar station. Instead, these trains will halt at Thane and passengers will be permitted to travel by suburban trains.

Railway authorities have undertaken construction work of the 12-metre wide FOB for decongesting it after the Elphinstone road stampede that claimed 23 lives and injured 39 others. Railway officials said the block for the FOB girder launch was approved on priority basis as it will help the completion of the FOB work within the set deadline.

About two weeks ago, the CR had launched girders at the new platform number three and four. The passengers were however troubled as the CR had failed to complete the block work within the stipulated period.