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The Central Railway in Mumbai has announced a 63-hour mega block commencing at midnight on May 30th, which will significantly disrupt local train services. This mega block is crucial for carrying out essential platform extension and widening projects at two major stations: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai and Thane station.
During this 63-hour period, the Central Railway will cancel a total of 930 local train services, including 161 cancellations on Friday, 534 on Saturday, and 235 on Sunday. Additionally, 444 suburban services will be short-terminated, with seven cancellations on Friday, 306 on Saturday, and 131 on Sunday.
The platform extension and widening projects at CSMT and Thane station aim to improve passenger safety and convenience. Platforms 5 and 6 at Thane station will be widened by 2-3 meters to address overcrowding issues, as they currently handle both mail/express and local trains.
The Central Railway has urged commuters to avoid traveling by local trains during this period unless absolutely necessary. The Railways have also requested the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to operate extra buses for passenger convenience. The Railways have emphasized the importance of these blocks for long-term infrastructure improvements and have requested passengers' cooperation during this period of inconvenience.