The Central Railway has successfully carried out a 10-hour special traffic and power block to undertake crucial infrastructure upgrades at Thane railway station and Dombivli railway station. The work, executed overnight between March 21 and 22, marks a key step toward introducing longer 15-coach suburban trains on Mumbai’s busy rail network.
The block was implemented on both up and down local lines. At Thane, work was concentrated on platforms 1, 2, and 3 at the CSMT end, while at Dombivli, upgrades were carried out across platforms 1A, 1, and 2.
Major Works at Dombivli
At Dombivli, significant track and signalling modifications were completed. This included dismantling and reinstalling Point No. 125W, along with commissioning a new crossover linked to 150 metres of freshly laid track. Track realignment of 4–5 metres was also undertaken to facilitate platform extension work.
Additionally, seven overhead equipment (OHE) masts and portals were removed, and key cabling along the Down Local Line was shifted. Railway teams also handled the unloading of 13-metre track panels using 11 BRN wagons supported by two diesel locomotives. Despite space limitations, scrap clearance and preparatory tasks were completed efficiently.
Upgrades at Thane
At Thane station, work focused on the Down Local Line, where crossover No. 148A/B was dismantled and repositioned after being shifted approximately 60 metres using heavy machinery such as Hydra, JCB, and Poclain equipment.
Tamping of turnouts and crossovers at multiple points was also carried out, paving the way for further adjustments and the extension of platforms 3 and 4.
Execution and Future Plans
The operation involved 380 contractual workers and 120 railway staff, overseen by 14 officers and supported by heavy machinery.
Central Railway stated that similar blocks will be conducted in phases to support infrastructure expansion. The upgrades are aimed at enabling 15-coach suburban trains, which are expected to significantly improve passenger capacity and reduce congestion across Mumbai’s suburban rail system.
Source: Mid-day
