Mumbai’s lifeline—its suburban local train services—will be hit by a significant Mega Block on 20th April 2025. Central and Western Railway authorities have planned essential engineering and maintenance work, which will result in multiple diversions, cancellations, and delays for lakhs of daily commuters.
Central Railway to Implement a 5-Hour Block
Central Railway will carry out a five-hour Mega Block on 20th April 2025 on the up and down slow lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Vidyavihar. This block will be in place from 10:55 AM to 3:55 PM.
During this time, down slow locals leaving CSMT between 10:48 AM and 3:45 PM will be diverted to the down fast line up to Vidyavihar. These trains will halt only at major stations—Byculla, Parel, Dadar, Matunga, Sion, and Kurla.
Up slow locals from Ghatkopar between 10:19 AM and 3:52 PM will also be diverted to the up fast line till CSMT, stopping at the same set of key stations. These diversions are intended to minimize the inconvenience while maintenance work is underway.
Station Closures and Service Gaps
Several stations—Masjid, Sandhurst Road, Chinchpokli, and Currey Road—will not have any train services during the block period. Commuters who rely on these stops will have to travel to the nearest functioning stations or switch to road transport.
The last down slow train before the block will depart from CSMT at 10:07 AM. Services will resume with the first train after the block at 3:57 PM. Similarly, the last up slow train before the block will leave Kalyan at 9:13 AM, with services restarting at 3:10 PM.
Mumbai Local Mega Block to Disrupt Train Services on April 11 and 12
Harbour and Trans-Harbour Line Impact
The Mega Block on 20th April 2025 will also affect the Trans-Harbour line. All services between Thane and Vashi/Nerul will be suspended from 11:10 AM to 4:10 PM. This will hit thousands of commuters who use this corridor, especially office-goers and students.
Passengers are advised to plan alternate travel routes and avoid non-essential trips during the block hours. Long-distance travellers using the Harbour line should double-check train schedules.
Western Railway Night Blocks
In addition to the Central Railway block, Western Railway will also carry out two separate night blocks. One will be between Vasai Road and Vaitarna on the night of 19th to 20th April for maintenance work.
Another night block will be active between Churchgate and Marine Lines from 1:15 AM to 4:15 AM on 20th April due to the installation of the main girders of the Wankhede Foot Over Bridge. These blocks will result in cancellations and partial cancellations of some Western line trains.
Travel Alternatives and Bus Services
To help ease the pressure, BEST has announced additional bus services during the block period. Extra buses will be run on key routes across the city to ensure connectivity, especially for areas where trains won’t halt.
Despite these arrangements, the Mega Block on 20th April 2025 is expected to increase road congestion, especially around Dadar, Kurla, and other busy transfer stations.
Passenger Advice and Impact
Commuters are being urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary during the block hours. Crowding is expected on diverted fast trains as well as at main interchange stations. Delays of 10 minutes or more are likely due to rerouting.
Passengers may also face longer walking distances or need to use autos, taxis, or buses to reach their destinations. Past experiences show that such blocks can cause significant delays and inconvenience, so planning ahead is crucial.
Final Word
The Mega Block on 20th April 2025 is part of routine infrastructure maintenance aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of Mumbai’s local train system. While the disruptions may be frustrating, they are necessary for long-term improvements.
Commuters are advised to stay updated through official railway announcements and travel apps, and allow extra time for their journeys. This Sunday will test the patience of Mumbai’s local train users, but with proper planning, it can be managed.
