RailEnquiry

MUMBAI: Finding a direct local from Navi Mumbai to CST during a megablock will no longer be a problem by the end of January, as Central Railway (CR) plans to introduce a direct rail link between CST and Vashi-Panvel via Thane.At present, during a harbour-line megablock (between Mankhurd and Vashi/Nerul stations), commuters travel to Thane and then change trains on the transharbour line for Vashi, CBD Belapur or Panvel. A CR officer said, "We have introduced a new crossing from down fast track No 3 to down track No 5 near Thane station. This will allow down trains to change tracks after Mulund and then go directly to the transharbour line. So, one will not have to get down at Thane to change trains."On the opposite direction, too, a train connecting Panvel-Vashi to CST via Thane may be introduced. Vashi resident Arvind Dey said, "It will bring relief to thousands of passengers who are virtually cut off from Mumbai during megablocks; they have to opt for crowded buses and face refusals by auto drivers."The CR official said the new rail link was likely to be introduced before the month came to a close. "I can safely say that commuters can expect to travel on the new route by averting the first harbour-line megablock in February."The CR, during the Thane yard remodeling, introduced 34 new crossings and extended two 9-car sidings to 12-car sidings. Platforms five and six have been extended to accommodate 24-coach trains. "Engineering work has been completed on six new crossings, which will help direct connectivity between CR's main and transharbour lines. Only commissioning is pending, which is likely to happen soon," said a CR officer. CR will also have provision for an additional EMU siding for the transharbour line at Thane station.