Title - Brace for megablocks, trains could be crowded today

MUMBAI: The railway authorities have issued an advisory, warning commuters that the suburban trains on Sunday are likely to be more crowded than usual. "There will be megablocks on Sunday and this could lead to crowds on platforms, cancellation of few trains and delays during the block period,'' said a Central Railway spokesperson.

"Passengers are requested not to take any risks while travelling. They are also requested to avoid travelling on footboard or rooftop of locals and not to board extremely over-crowded trains,'' he stated. This advisory has been issued in view of three persons falling off trains during the megablocks carried out two weeks back "During that megablock, which was carried out for Thane yard remodelling, we found there was unusual rush in trains and people fell off from running trains. We want citizens to be cautious this time,'' a public relations official said.

The CR will carry out a megablock on the Up slow line between Mulund and Matunga stations from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm. The Up slow line services will not be available at Nahur, Kanjurmarg, Vidyavihar stations. However passengers for Nahur, Kanjurmarg and Vidyavihar stations are permitted to travel via Bhandup, Vikhroli and Kurla respectively in the Down direction on their valid card/season tickets during the block period.

On the Harbour line, there will be a megablock on the Up and Down lines between Mankhurd and Nerul stations. This will virtually cut off Navi Mumbai from Mumbai from 11 am to 3 pm, which is the block period. Citizens will have to opt for road transport to travel from Nerul to Mankhurd. Special trains will run on CST-Mankhurd and Panvel-Thane section, an official said.

"Due to this block, fast locals and slow locals on main line and harbour line locals will be running about 15 minutes behind schedule,'' an official said. On the Western Railway, a jumbo block will be taken for five hours from 10.35 am to 3.35 pm today on Dn slow line between Mahalaxmi and Santacruz stations. The diverted trains will not halt at Mahalaxmi, Elphinstone Road and Matunga Rd stations for want of platform. Passengers are allowed to travel in opposite direction for their destinations between Bandra and Mumbai Central stations.

All 12-car slow services will take double halt at Lower Parel, Mahim and Khar Road stations. The level crossing No. 19 between Khar and Bandra will remain closed for road traffic during the block period. "Due to the block, some Up and Down local trains will remain cancelled,'' an official added.