Daily Commuters Hit as Mumbai Local Train Services Face Major Disruptions
Western Railway cancels over 300 Mumbai local trains amid major sixth-line construction work.
More than 320 to 350 suburban local train services on the Western Railway network in Mumbai were cancelled daily between December 26 and 29, 2025, as part of a major engineering block for the construction of a sixth railway line between Kandivli and Borivli stations. The disruption, announced by Western Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, is linked to ongoing non-interlocking works, including changes to the signalling system. These cancellations affect services primarily during daytime hours, while much of the heavy construction activity is scheduled for late-night and early-morning slots to minimize inconvenience to daily commuters.
The 30-day major block began on December 20, 2025, and is set to conclude on January 18, 2026. Additional cancellations are planned for January 10 to facilitate completion of critical tasks. The project falls under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), which aims to enhance suburban rail capacity by segregating local trains from long-distance services. Once fully operational, the new 3- to 3.5-km-long sixth line between Kandivli and Borivli will provide greater operational flexibility, reduce congestion, and improve punctuality on one of the busiest sections of the Western Railway corridor.
Western Railway operates over 1,400 suburban local trains daily across its extensive network, stretching from Churchgate in south Mumbai to Dahanu in Palghar district—a distance of more than 125 km. The Mumbai suburban system is one of the most heavily used rail networks in the world, carrying millions of passengers each day. The sixth line project is a key infrastructure upgrade intended to address chronic overcrowding, delays, and operational bottlenecks, especially on the busy stretch between Borivli and Mumbai Central.
Also Read: Delhi Police Launch Massive Pre-New Year Crackdown, Arrest Hundreds
Railway authorities have urged commuters to plan their travel in advance, check alternative services on the Central Railway network where possible, and follow updates via official apps and announcements. While the temporary disruptions are significant, officials emphasize that the long-term benefits will include smoother and faster suburban travel for millions of Mumbaikars. The completion of this phase by mid-January 2026 is expected to mark a major step forward in easing the daily commute in India's financial capital.
