Mumbai local train: A world of its own

Mega block timings - 26th February 2012

2012-02-25T23:08:00.000+05:30

Like most Sundays, Central Railway will operate a mega block on 26th February as well. Here are the mega block timings:

Slow trains leaving Mulund from 10.35 am to 3.37 pm will be diverted on down fast line up to Kalyan station. These trains will not halt at Kalva, Mumbra, Diva, Kopar and Thakurli stations.

Harbour line trains leaving Vashi between 10.21 am and 4.16 pm will be suspended between Vashi and Kurla stations.

Harbour line trains leaving Kurla between 10.38 am to 4.08 pm will be suspended between Kurla and Vashi stations.

Special local trains will run on CST-Kurla and Vashi-Panvel sections during the block period. Harbour line passengers are permitted to travel Via Thane-Vashi/Nerul on their valid ticket.

One more dies crossing tracks!

2012-02-23T11:14:00.000+05:30

Reports of people dying while crossing tracks are increasing these days. These are read by all those who read newspapers, yet, people continue to cross tracks.

On Monday, a 4-year-old girl was hit by a train (more info) since her family had to cross tracks due to unavailability of a FOB in Mumbra*. Yesterday (22nd February 2012), a 27-year-old man died while crossing tracks near Govandi station. While people and newspapers are complaining (rightfully) about unavailability of helpers, they still continue to cross tracks. Most of them are an educated lot!

Youngsters, especially college students are often spotted avoiding the FOB to reach 'faster'. They realise that it's dangerous, yet they think, "I will be able to reach the other side before any train comes, I am smart enough!" Seldom they realise that the 'other side' might not have a way back.

I offer my condolences to the family of the victim and I understand that if there was no delay in availability of helpers, the man might have been saved.

But seriously, I urge you all not to cross railway tracks. Instead of saving that one minute by avoiding FOB / subway, you can save time by leaving home a minute earlier, spending a minute less in watching the television or waking up on time without putting your alarm on snooze!

Please spread the message and encourage people against crossing tracks.

*Mumbra residents have been demanding a foot over-bridge for a long time.

Real surveys in local trains

2012-02-23T10:11:00.001+05:30

A group of young girls took a wadala local to Panvel at around 5.30 pm. Carrying just a small wallet and a couple of A4 papers, these girls occupied different areas near the doors. They were actually noting down the number of people boarding and alighting from the train at each station. Curious enough, I asked them if it was a college project. They said it was a project assigned by the Railways. On asking if it was to analyze the crowding and subsequent requirement of additional trains at certain routes at certain times, they looked confused. They seemed to be clueless about why they were doing the exercise. Of whatever they must have heard about crowded trains in Kurla, there current worry was what happens at Kurla and If they would be able to continue the task!

Well, I am glad that railways is doing its bit towards crowd management and hopefully it might come up with a better timetable / train frequency.

Vashi Thane Local Train Time Table 2012

2012-02-22T11:18:00.003+05:30

Here's the latest Vashi-Thane time table (trans-harbour railway line) effective from February 2012.

There are some changes in the schedule of trains in this time table as compared to the old one. I don't think they have done anything good with the timings. Look at the pathetic schedule after 8 pm!

Thane Vashi Local Train Time Table 2012

2012-02-22T10:23:00.000+05:30

Here's the latest Thane-Vashi time table (trans-harbour railway line) effective from February 2012.

There are some changes in the schedule of trains in this time table as compared to the old one. Two new trains are introduced early in the morning. It must be noted that while the first Thane-Vashi train used to leave at 6.10 am earlier, now the first train leaves at 5.30 am!

However, the last three trains earlier left from Thane at 10.55, 11.10 and 11.45 pm. But now, after 10.39 pm there's just one train directly at 11.45 pm. I am hoping this was just an error on the part of railways when this time table was created. If not, it's a great inconvenience to the commuters of the trans-harbour line!

In case you travel late night, do share in the comments section here if there are in fact trains between 10.39 and 11.45 pm from Thane to Vashi station.

Cornered by Cockroaches in Vashi-Thane Train

2012-02-21T16:56:00.000+05:30

I happily occupied a window seat of a Vashi Thane local when a lady
noticed a cockroach near me. I was alarmed and could not thank her
enough for saving my life! All right, a cockroach-commuter might not
be an actual killer but imagine the following situations:

1 - Getting a heart attack at the sudden 'attack' by a cockroach
2 - What if it enters your purse and then emerges when you are
standing near the footboard of a moving train
3 - It gets into your dabba and converts your vegetarian lunch into a
non-veg meal
4 - You doze off in the train with an open mouth... and... Ewwww
Well, all this might sound like too much, but isn't having cockroach
commuters in human compartments too much! I wonder if I can dial the
helpline for reporting these unreserved travellers.

Sunday mega block timings - 19th February 2012

2012-02-17T12:29:00.000+05:30

CENTRAL LINE

Kalyan - Mulund: Up slow/semi fast line services leaving Kalyan from 11 am to 4 pm will be diverted on Up fast line between Kalyan and Mulund stations.Slow trains will not halt at Thakurli, Kopar, Diva, Mumbra and Kalva stations during the block period.

Passengers wanting to reach these stations during the block period are allowed to travel via Dombivli/Thane in down direction on their valid card/season tickets.

HARBOUR LINE
Vashi - Belapur: Trains running between Vashi and Belapur stations (both directions) will remain cancelled from 10.55 am and 3.55 pm.

Panvel-Andheri: Train services will remain suspended during the block period from 10.55 am and 3.55 pm.

TRANS-HARBOUR LINE

Panvel-Nerul: Up and Down Trans-harbour line trains between Panvel and Nerul stations (both directions) will remain cancelled from 10.55 am and 3.55 pm.

However special locals will run on CST-Vashi, Belapur – Panvel and Thane-Nerul section.

Mega Block and special train timings today - 5th February 2012

2012-02-05T12:09:00.000+05:30

WESTERN LINE
There will be a mega block between Churchgate and Andheri today due to DC to AC conversion. Both fast as well as slow train services will be affected during the mega block from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Special trains will be run between Virar and Andheri stations during the block period.

Special Services during the western line block period:

Local train will leave at 10 am from Mumbai Central, will reach Andheri at 10.55 am. The train will not halt at Mahalaxmi station.
Local train will leave at 11 am from Mumbai Central, will reach Borivali at 12.15 pm. In between, this train will stop only at Dadar, Mahim, Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Vile Parle and Andheri stations.
Local train will leave at 12.15 pm from Churchgate, will reach Andheri at 1.15 pm
Local train will leave at 2.35 pm from Churchgate, will reach Andheri at 3.35 pm

---------------

Local train will leave at 11.05 am from Andheri, will reach Churchgate at 12.05 pm
Local train will leave at 1.25 pm from Andheri, will reach Churchgate at 2.25 pm
Local train will leave at 3.45 pm from Andheri, will reach Dadar at 4.18 pm. This train will not halt at Matunga Road.
Local train will leave at 12.50 pm from Borivali, will reach Mumbai Central at 2.05 pm. this train will not halt at Andheri, Vile Parle, Santa Cruz, Khar, Bandra, Mahim and Dadar stations.

HARBOUR LINE
Andheri / Bandra - CST trains will be suspended from 9 am to 4.03 pm
CST - Bandra / Andheri trains will be suspended from 9.52 am to 4.41 pm

Sunday Mega Block Timings - 29 January 2012

2012-01-29T12:38:00.000+05:30

CENTRAL LINE
Thane - Kalyan: Down slow trains leaving Mulund from 11.03 am to 3.03 pm will be diverted on Down fast line between Mulund and Kalyan stations. Down slow line services will not be available for Kalva, Mumbra, Diva, Kopar and Thakurli stations during the block period.

Up slow trains leaving Diva from 11.13 am to 2.57 pm will be diverted on Up fast line between Diva and Mulund stations. Up slow line services will not be available for Kalva, Mumbra.

However passengers for these stations are permitted to travel via Kalyan and Dombivli in Up direction on their valid card/season tickets.

HARBOUR LINE
Harbour line trains from Panvel / Belapur / Vashi to CST will run on Central Main Line from Kurla station to CST from 10.40 am to 3.54 pm. The trains will not halt at Currey Road and Chinchpokli stations.

Harbour line train services will remain suspended as follows:
Mega block from CST to Bandra / Andheri: 10.47 am to 4.03 pm
Mega block from Bandra / Andheri to CST: 10.41 am to 3.48 pm

Harbour line commuters for Bandra / Andheri can travel via main line / western line from 10 am to 6 pm during the mega block.

25 Best Train Routes in India

2012-01-25T11:44:00.004+05:30

When you reach your seat / berth in a long-distance train what is the first thing you do? Right, you try to occupy the window seat!

While you might not spend a 16 to 26-hour journey gazing out of the window, every now and then you look out to soak in the beauty of the places the journey takes you through. It's like watching a Live Travel Show as the train travels through mountains, hills, plateaus, lakes, rivers, farms, villages and cities that portray the scenic beauty of the country.

Arnab Maity, an avid traveller and photographer, has taken great efforts to list out 25 Most Scenic Train Routes in India. Join him in this photographic journey and explore the highlights of each route.

Excerpts from Arnab's blog:

1. The Kashmir Railway (Jammu – Udhampur)

The Kashmir Railway is one of the most challenging engineering projects in India. The extremes of cold and heat along with the unfavorable terrain and political scenarios make this route one of the most thrilling of all Indian train routes. This route has 20 major tunnels and 158 bridges which offer awe inspiring views of the rivers and valleys around the beautiful Shivalik Mountain Ranges.

2. The Snow Sojourn (Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla)

This is a part of the Kashmir Railway, but currently work is going on the section between Jammu and Qazigund, thus making this another separate leg of the journey. When complete, this will be a part of the greater Kashmir railway which will connect Jammu to Baramulla, or rather the plains to the Valley.

Continue the journey here.

Mega Block timings - 22nd January 2012

2012-01-21T16:48:00.000+05:30

CENTRAL LINE
Kalyan - Thane: Down slow line services will run one fast line between Mulund and Kalyan from 10:40 am to 3:40 pm. These trains will not stop at Kalva, Mumbra, Diva, Kopar and Thakurli.
Passengers for these stations are permitted to travel via Kalyan and Dombivli in Up direction on their valid card/season tickets.

HARBOUR LINE
Vashi - Belapur: Trains leaving Belapur/Panvel will remain cancelled from Belapur up to Vashi between 10.48 am and 4.01 pm.
Trains leaving Vashi will remain cancelled from Vashi up to Belapur between 10.41 am and 4.06 pm.

TRANS-HARBOUR LINE
Trains for Thane leaving Panvel from 11.03 to 3.25 pm will remain suspended up to Nerul.
Trains for Panvel leaving Thane from 10.03 to 2.21 pm will remain suspended up to Nerul.
Special locals will run on the CST--Vashi, Belapur--Panvel and Thane--Nerul Sections.

Timings of Ladies Special Trains in Mumbai

2012-01-21T11:02:00.000+05:30

CENTRAL LINE
Fast Ladies special train leaves Mumbai CST at 6.03 pm and reaches Kalyan at 7.15 pm.

HARBOUR LINE
Slow Ladies special train leaves Mumbai CST at 5.55 pm and reaches Panvel at 7.12 pm. Does not run on Sundays.
Slow Ladies special train leaves Panvel at 8.48 am and reaches Mumbai CST at 10.06 am. Does not run on Sundays.

TRANS-HARBOUR LINE
Slow Ladies special train leaves Thane at 9.14 am and reaches Panvel at 10.07 am.

WESTERN LINE
Ladies special train leaves Churchgate at 5.39pm and reaches Borivali at 6.48 pm.
Ladies special train leaves Churchgate at 6.13 pm and reaches Virar at 7.37 pm.
Ladies special train leaves Churchgate at 6.51 pm and reaches Bhayander at 8.10 pm.

Ladies special train leaves Virar at 7.39 am and reaches Churchgate at 9.19 am.
Ladies special train leaves Borivali at 7.42 am and reaches Churchgate at 8.47 am.
Ladies special train leaves Bhayander at 9.06 am and reaches Churchgate at 10.29 am.

Autobiography of a Window Seat

2012-01-20T13:56:00.000+05:30

As soon as the Mumbai local train pulls into the station, you see people rushing towards me. They are just crazy about me... after all, I am the much sought-after Window Seat! Neighbour's envy, owner's pride eh!

There are umpteen reasons for their love for me.

I bring them fresh air in the crowded atmosphere where all that the rest of the commuters get to smell are sweaty armpits, oily stinky hair and the peculiar odour of the local train doors and handles.
I present them with panoramic views of the entire city in a mater of few minutes! Tell me who else can do this except for You Tube?
I offer them the priority status as well! People first tend to ask the window-seater as to where he/she will alight so that they can 'book' the seat.
I offer them an effortless glimpse of the station name boards; unlike others who have to either stretch their necks or ask the privileged traveller, "Kaunsa station aaya?". (Of course, the announcements are taking over gradually)

I love Mumbai's local train commuters. Even though I know they can be very biased.

They run for me and fight for me only when I face the direction of the train's movement. If I am on the opposite direction, I am only treated as a compromise. They also prefer the side of the train where sunlight doesn't fall. I am not the Hot Seat when the seat is hot!

Some of them simply ignore me during winters and rains. They push away from me as much as possible... how rude! This is the time when people willingly 'offer' Window Seat to others. Here's a small Survey conducted on the Facebook page of this blog about the same:

Do you aim for the Window Seat even in winters?

Well, I can understand. However, I hate the fact that often they treat me as garbage-exit point. They shamelessly throw wrappers, spit paan/gutkha and discard other kachra from the window while occupying me. If only I could throw them away from me and the entire train!

Well guys, looks like it's time for me to go as aglaa station Churchgate hai! Keep looking out for me... I am loving it!

Sion Aaya, Sion Aaya... Video

2012-01-15T10:50:00.001+05:30

The flavour of travelling by Mumbai trains captured in this video:

The flavour of travelling by Mumbai trains captured in this video

Written & Sung By: Ashok Hande
Produced By: Chaurang

Sunday mega block timings - 15th January 2012

2012-01-15T10:30:00.001+05:30

Kalyan and Thane: Up Slow/Semi fast line services leaving Kalyan from 10.13 am to 3.48 pm will be diverted on up fast line between Kalyan and Mulund stations.

Up slow line services will not be available at Thakurli, Kopar, Diva, Mumbra and Kalva stations during the block period. Passengers wishing to reach these stations are permitted to travel via Dombivli / Thane in down direction.

Harbour line trains will not run from CST to Bandra / Andheri from 10.47 am to 4.03 pm.
Harbour line trains will not run from Bandra / Andheri to CST from 10.41 am to 3.48 pm.

Trains leaving from CST to Vashi / Belapur / Panvel between 10.39 am and 3.53 pm will run on the Main Central Line up to Kurla station and will then be diverted to the normal Harbour route. These trains will not stop at Chinchpokli and Currey Road stations.

How to help someone in train

2012-01-13T11:23:00.000+05:30

Saket Gokhale's presence of mind and the efforts of Railway cops helped save a drunken woman from all we know she could have faced in the late-night hours travelling alone in a local train on January 10, 2012. The incident, which should be a learning for us all, highlights that while harmful elements exist in the city, there are still many who go out of their way to help others. It also puts light on that fact that Railway police is indeed helpful.

Helpline Numbers

Read on Saket's account of the story, so that you know what to do when you face a similar incident:

This happened just a few hours ago and did quite reinforce my faith in this city and the people that keep it running.

I dropped a couple of friends from the airport to Mumbai Central this evening and then decided to take the last train northwards. The Virar slow local train was just pulling in to platform 1. A woman (in her late 20s) dressed in a salwar kameez asked me 'Bhai, yeh train Goregaon jaaega?' (Will this train take me to Goregaon). I said yes, and instinctively felt something was wrong. I was just about to board the train and then realised this woman was too drunk to be able to walk. She narrowly missed falling down and somehow stumbled into the train.

It was the 2nd class general compartment and the train was relatively empty. She again asked a few people if the train would go to Goregaon and then passed out on the seats. In the beginning, I didn't think much of it until a few stations later a few drunken men got into the compartment and kept staring at her. The whole thing felt super odd and as Bandra approached, I was getting a bit worried about how this woman will get off at Goregaon (she was completely sloshed and has passed out). The one drunken guy sitting across the seat from her did not look like he was up to any good.

It seemed a sensible idea to call for help rather than confront a bunch of drunken chaps in a running train. So I rang up the police control room on 100 to ask for the number of the railway police. The constable promptly gave it to me and I rang up the GRP (Government Railway Police) control room.

I told the dispatcher who answered the phone that there was a drunken woman in the compartment and that she intended to alight at Goregaon station. I said that since she was drunk, it'd be good if some police personnel could help her out at the platform since she probably had no clue where to go. The dispatcher asked me where the train currently was and what compartment I was in. While I wasn't sure of the exact number, I could see that the 1st class was in front of us and the ladies compartment was right behind. I told him that. Also. the train had just pulled in to Andheri and I told him that Goregaon was 2 stops away so we should be there in about 5-7 minutes. He said he would alert the policemen on the station using the police wireless and asked me to look out for them.

As the train pulled into Goregaon, two police constables were standing right there. I waved at them and they came running into the compartment. When they asked the woman, she said she didn't wanna get off at Goregaon anymore and wanted to go back to Mumbai Central (wierd, since thats where she got into the train). She also started yelling loudly that 'someone stole my money and I have no money to go home'. They tried to talk her into getting off but she started passing out again. The cops looked at me and said they need to get her off the train but that could only be done by a female cop. The train started moving by now and the cops said they're putting out a message on the wireless asking for a lady cop to be on standby at Borivali station (2 stops away) in 5 minutes.

I called the control room again to inform them what happened and asked them for backup at Borivali. The dispatch said he'd ask a lady cop to be stationed at Borivali right where the compartment halts. In the meanwhile, the drunken guy had already started trying to get closer to her and touch her. With no other option in hands, I walked up to him and told him to sit in a corner or that I'd chop his balls off. It probably worked because he went all quiet and then just kept staring at her.

Just when everything seemed under control, the woman came running towards the door and was about to jump off a moving train, when me and another guy had to restrain her. She then started yelling at us and said she was gonna jump off because the train was taking too long to arrive and she'd missed her station. We told her to calm down and wait until the train pulled in to the station.

As soon as the train pulled in to Borivali, 7 cops came running towards our compartment. Two of them were lady constables. I pointed out the woman to them and they coaxed her into getting off the train and got her to relax. Meanwhile, I pointed out the drunken man who kept trying to touch her to the other constables and he was escorted off the train in a few seconds.

The police had already alerted the station master so the train stopped for a longer duration until the woman was safely with the lady constables and the drunken man was taken into custody. The policemen said thank you and the train was back on its way. As I type this, the woman is in a safe place with the cops who are making arrangements to have her dropped wherever she needs to go in Goregaon.

The point behind writing this note is that this woman tonight could've ended up as a newspaper headline tomorrow. Some newspaper would've written pages about women's safety, some activists would've lit candles and then she'd become just that...a story. All it took me was 2 phone calls (toll-free) and the police put in their best efforts to save a person.

I read numerous articles in the newspaper everyday that quote statistics about how many women feel unsafe in the city or how many crimes have happened over the last year. The newspapers hire some amazing research firms that tell them right to the second decimal about how bad things are (98.97% people feel this city is going to the dogs etc.).

However, I have always found those reports wanting when to comes to actually telling people what to do in similar situations.

So, tomorrow or ever, if you find a mentally unstable person in distress, a woman being harassed or something similar to what happened to me, here's what you do:

1. Dial 100. Thats the response number for the Mumbai Control Room. This connects you to the nearest wireless dispactcher who will note down your complaint, your exact location and will then dispatch a police team to the spot. In my experience, depending on traffic and the time of the day, it takes between 5-10mins for help to arrive. In case of very serious complaints, the control room will remain in touch with you until the police come.

If for instance, you're not in a position to remain at the spot, tell that to the dispatcher and ask him to update you about what action was taken. Me and a friend had once reported a woman being pushed into a car by a man who then sped away. An officer called me 20 mins later saying they went in pursuit, intercepted the car and found that it was a marital tiff. The police nevertheless escorted the couple home and left only after the woman confirmed that she was ok.

2. In case you are unable to get through to 100, identify the area where you are and call your nearest control room. Their numbers are:

(a) South Mumbai control: 23089857, 23089855, 23070505

(b) Central Mumbai control: 23710505, 23720505, 23712081, 24140909, 23750505

(c) West Mumbai control: 26552195, 26412021, 26457900, 26572299

(d) East Mumbai control: 25233588, 25233534, 25222121

(e) North Mumbai control: 28850918, 28854643, 28877544

In Thane city, you can call Thane urban control 25443131 / 25443636. All areas from Mira Road upto Virar fall under Thane rural control who can be called on 25342784, 25395151

3. If you are in the train, call the Govt. Railway Police (GRP) on 9833331111 or 1275.

Remember that help reaches faster when you can tell the address as accurately as possible. In case you can't and its a life-and-death emergency, the police have technologies that can trace the location of your call. Please make it a point to inform the dispatcher that you are unaware of your location so that he/she can find the best possible way of helping you.

I did nothing special today than what is expected of me as a citizen. But were it not for timely intervention by the cops, a life would've been lost.

I usually don't write notes on Facebook (this is the first one I have ever written). But a few weeks ago, I saw this one making the rounds: http://www.facebook.com/notes/azeem-banatwalla/mumbais-finest-at-their-very-best/10150463943108092. For whatever they heard, people were quick to comment saying things like 'fucking Bombay police' and 'cops are rascals'.

Well, here you are. First person account and all. Of course, it is very easy to sit in our drawing rooms and criticise and then hit 'like' on Facebook campaigns and whine about how the entire system is rotten.

Well guess what, just try... just try to extend your hand and help out. I can promise you from my personal experience that it works pretty fine.

And indeed, notwithstanding a few rotten apples (which exist everywhere btw), these men in uniform are still Mumbai's finest! Over and out.

Brahmaputra Mail Accident in Jharkhand: Helpline Numbers

2012-01-11T09:51:00.001+05:30

Delhi-bound Brahmaputra Mail rammed into a stationary goods trains leading to a derailment at 5.50 am today (11th January, 2012) at Karanpura, Jharkhand.

Reportedly, the goods train was stationary on the tracks after developing a snag. At the time when Brahmaputra Mail reached the spot, the goods train started rolling back. The goods train hit the sleeper compartment (10th coach) of the Brahmaputra Mail.

Brahmaputra Mail Accident Helpline Numbers:
Bhagalpur: 0641 2421232 / 1901
Delhi: 011 23362296
Dibrugarh: 0373 2300131
Tinsukhia: 0374 2312131
Mariani: 03771 2420044
New Bongaigaon: 099575 54456
Rangia: 03621 244353

Constable loses his life after being hit by a stone

2012-01-05T09:21:00.000+05:30

Constable Deepak Jadhav lost his life as a stone hit him in a local train near Seawoods station. Read the Mid Day report here.

We offer our condolences to his family.

The commuters had stopped the train at Belapur and rushed him to hospital, but unfortunately he could not be saved. Requesting all commuters to take timely action in case of such emergencies.

Mega block timings on 1st January 2012

2012-01-01T12:35:00.001+05:30

There will be no mega block on central main and western lines today. The harbour line mega block timings are as follows:

Up harbour line services from to CST leaving from Vashi between 10.21 am to 4.16 pm will remain suspended up to Kurla station.

Down harbour line services for Panvel/Belapur/Vashi stations leaving Kurla from 10.38 am to 4.08 pm will remain suspended up to Vashi station.

Special local trains will run between CST and Kurla stations as well as between Vashi and Panvel stations during the block period.

Harbour line commuters can travel via trans-harbour line on their valid ticket.

Special local trains on New Year's Eve

2011-12-30T21:05:00.001+05:30

Worried about traveling back home at late night / early morning after partying on New Year's Eve? Well, Railways have come to your rescue by announcing some special local trains after 31st midnight as follows:

Churchgate to Virar:

A slow train will leave from Churchgate at 1.45 am (1st January 2012) and reach Virar at 3.28 am.

A slow train will leave from Churchgate at 3.15 am (1st January 2012) and reach Virar at 4.55 am.

Virar to Churchgate:

A slow train will leave from Virar at 12.40 am (1st January 2012) and reach Churchgate at 2.20 am.

A slow train will leave from Virar at 2 am (1st January 2012) and reach Churchgate at 3.40 am.

CST to Kalyan:

Train will leave from CST at 1.10 am (1st January 2012) and reach Kalyan at 2.40 am.

Kalyan to CST:

Train will leave from Kalyan at 1.15 am (1st January 2012) and reach CST at 2.45 am.

CST to Panvel:

Train will leave from CST at 1.20 am (1st January 2012) and reach Panvel at 2.40 am.

Panvel to CST:

Train will leave from Panvel at 1.20 am (1st January 2012) and reach CST at 2.40 am.

Kurla level crossing gate to be closed for a night

2011-12-29T00:05:00.003+05:30

In order to fix rails and due to road repair work at Railway Level Crossing, Gate No. 9A near Kurla station will remain closed for road traffic from 8.00 pm on 30th December to 6 am on 31st December.

Mega Block timings on 25th December 2011

2011-12-25T11:32:00.002+05:30

Here are the mega block timings for Sunday 25 December 2011:

CENTRAL LINE

Kalyan and Mulund: Slow/Semi fast trains leaving Kalyan from 10.13 am to 3.48 pm will be diverted on fast line. During this period slow trains will not be available at Thakurli, Kopar, Diva, Mumbra and Kalva stations. Commuters wishing to reach these stations can travel via Dombivli / Thane in down direction on their valid tickets.

HARBOUR LINE

Up harbour line services from to CST leaving from Vashi between 10.21 am to 4.16 pm will remain suspended up to Kurla station.

Down harbour line services for Panvel/Belapur/Vashi stations leaving Kurla from 10.38 am to 4.08 pm will remain suspended up to Vashi station.

Special local trains will run between CST and Kurla stations as well as between Vashi and Panvel stations during the block period.

Harbour line commuters can travel via trans-harbour line on their valid ticket.

Skip a train or run for it?

2011-12-23T10:40:00.001+05:30

Your train arrives at the platform while you are still on the Foot Over Bridge. What do you do?
Click on the links below to cast your vote on our Facebook page.

	Run for it and catch the moving train; it's an achievement
	Run for it but leave it if it starts moving; you are sensible enough
	Skip it, there's always another train

Bogie of CST-Kalyan train derails

2011-12-21T09:32:00.000+05:30

My friend Keyur just informed me that a bogie of CST-Kalyan train has derailed near CST station in Mumbai. As per the current reports (9.30 am, December 21, 2011) there are no casualties.

Click here to check out the derailments that happened in the last 2 years and you would know how this problem must be attended to immediately.

GET THE PICTURE:10th July 2011: Guwahati-Puri Express derailed
10th July 2011:Howrah-Delhi-Kalka Express derailment
2nd March 2011:Train derailment in Navi Mumbai today

22nd October 2010: Yet another train derails in Mumbai!
13th April 2010: Garib Rath Express train derailed between Kalyan and Shahard stations
13th April 2010: 3 train incidents in Mumbai on April 13
18th January 2010: Panvel train derails near Belapur station

13th November 2009: 2 coaches of a train from Kasara derailed at CST

Mega Block timings on 18th December 2011

2011-12-18T11:00:00.000+05:30

Both Central Railway and Western Railway will operate Mega Block this Sunday for maintenance work on Sunday, 18th December 2011. Here are the timings:

Kalyan and Mulund: Up slow/semi fast line trains leaving Kalyan from 10.13 am to 3.48 pm will be run on the fast line up to Mulund stations.These trains will not halt at Thakurli, Kopar, Diva, Mumbra and Kalva stations during the block period. Commuters wishing to reach these stations can travel via Dombivli / Thane in down direction on their valid ticket.

CST to Bandra / Andheri:
Harbour line trains leaving from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus for Bandra/Andheri stations from 10.47 am to 4.03 pm will be suspended.

Bandra / Andheri to CST : Harbour line trains leaving from Bandra /Andheri to CST from 10.41 am to 3.48 pm will remain suspended.

CST to Panvel / Belapur / Vashi: Harbour line trains leaving CST from 10.39 am to 3.53 pm will run via Central main line up to Kurla station. These trains will not halt at Chinchpokli and Currey Road stations.

JUMBO BLOCK between Mahim Junction and Andheri:
A block will be observed between these stations from 11 am to 4 pm. On both directions, some
Churchgate-Andheri-Churchgate local trains will be cancelled during this block and there will be no
services on the harbor corridor.