Western Railway (WR), while issuing updates about Mumbai’s suburban services, has announced a significant traffic and maintenance block across crucial sections on April 4 and 5, 2026. According to an official statement, a major block will be carried out on the fifth line between Bandra Terminus and Bandra, beginning at 10 am on April 4 and continuing until 10 pm on April 5. Authorities stated that this extended block is necessary to facilitate important infrastructure work and ensure long-term safety and efficiency of train operations across the suburban network in Mumbai.
The railway administration clarified that the ongoing work is aimed at strengthening and expanding Culvert No. 22, which is a critical structure in the section. As a result of this activity, Level Crossing No. 18, located between Bandra Terminus and Bandra stations, will remain completely shut for train movement throughout the duration of the block. Commuters and motorists using this route have been advised to seek alternate routes to avoid inconvenience. Officials emphasised that such temporary closures are essential to carry out structural upgrades without compromising public safety or construction quality.
In addition to this, Western Railway has scheduled a jumbo maintenance block between Mumbai Central and Mahim stations. As per the official communication, this block will be implemented during the intervening night of April 4 and 5, specifically from 12:15 am to 4:15 am. During these four hours, multiple maintenance activities will be executed simultaneously. Railway authorities stated that night blocks are strategically planned to minimize disruption to peak-hour commuters while still allowing necessary repair and upgrade work to be completed efficiently within limited timeframes.
The block will significantly impact train operations during the scheduled hours. All fast line suburban trains will be diverted to slow lines between Santacruz and Churchgate stations, which may lead to minor delays and congestion. The maintenance work will include improvements to tracks, signalling systems, and overhead electrical equipment to enhance reliability and operational safety. Passengers have been strongly advised to plan their journeys in advance and stay updated with official announcements, as temporary changes in train schedules and routes are expected during this period.
Meanwhile, Western Railway is observing an interesting post-pandemic trend in its suburban network. Although daily ridership has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, revenue collection has surpassed earlier figures, mainly due to increased usage of air-conditioned local trains. Before the pandemic, an average of 34.87 lakh passengers generated around Rs 2.12 crore daily, whereas current figures show 29.52 lakh commuters contributing approximately Rs 2.39 crore per day. Officials attribute this rise to a growing preference for AC services, higher ticket purchases, stricter enforcement against ticketless travel, and evolving travel patterns influenced by hybrid work culture.