Nearly 350 Mumbai local trains cancelled until December 29; here's why

Mumbai: Commuters on the Western Railway’s Mumbai suburban network will face disruptions as nearly 320 to 350 local trains will remain cancelled daily between December 26 and 29, according to officials.

The cancellations are due to major construction work for the sixth railway line between Kandivli and Borivli stations. The project is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) and aims to separate suburban and long-distance trains, easing congestion on one of the city’s busiest stretches.

Details of the block

The work began on December 20 and will continue until January 18, 2026.

In addition to December 26–29, train services will also be affected on January 10 for the completion of non-linking works, including upgrades to the signalling system.

The work is being carried out mainly during late-night and early-morning hours to reduce inconvenience for commuters, officials said.

What are the benefits of the sixth line?

Once completed, the new 3–3.5 km sixth line between Kandivli and Borivli will:

• Allow better segregation of suburban and long-distance trains
• Reduce crowding and improve punctuality on the Western Railway network
• Support smoother daily commutes for thousands of passengers

Western Railway operates more than 1,400 suburban local trains daily on its network stretching from Churchgate in south Mumbai to Dahanu in Palghar district, over 125 km from the metropolis.

The sixth line project will significantly enhance capacity on the busiest sections.