Direct CST-Navi Mumbai trains during mega blocks

Railway commuters, from February, will be able to take a direct train from CST to Navi Mumbai via Thane during the mega blocks.

Railway commuters, from February, will be able to take a direct train from CST to Navi Mumbai via Thane during the mega blocks.

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The Central railway has been connecting the main line with the Thane-Vashi trans-harbour line as part of the Thane yard remodelling work that has been going on since the end of December. Once the work is completed, trains from CST can reach Vashi or Panvel via the trans-harbour route.

“Work on installing six new crossings to connect the main line with the trans-harbour line at the Thane yard is already in progress and is expected to be completed by the month-end,” said VA Malegaonkar, CR’s chief public relations officer.

Malegaonkar said once connectivity between the main and trans-harbour lines is achieved, harbour line trains could also run via Thane during the mega blocks.

So, Navi Mumbai will have railway connectivity even during mega blocks, especially between Kurla and Vashi.

Currently, because of a lack of an alternative rail connection between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, commuters face a lot of hardships, when harbour line services in Kurla-Mankhurd sections stop for any reason. The new direct rail link via Thane is expected to bring huge relief to harbour line commuters in Navi Mumbai. CR has had 16 hours of mega blocks to get the connectivity in place.