Railway's 2-day block for CSMT platform extension to affect several trains

Central Railway on Thursday announced a two-day special mega block from Friday night to carry out extension of a platforms at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to accommodate 24-coach trains.

Many suburban and long distance will be affected by this work, an official said.

The special block is necessary to extend platforms 12 and 13 to accommodate 24-coach trains, enhancing capacity and improving passenger convenience, he added. 

The work involves extending island platform 12 and 13 to 690 metres from 510 metres and will see the shifting of 31 overhead cables, connecting of 34 signal systems, and laying 500 metres of new tracks. 

This platform extension, which part of a Rs 62.18 crore project sanctioned in the Union budget 2023-24, will ensure all main line platforms, except number 8-9, can accommodate 24 coach trains at CSMT. Platform 8 and 9 cannot be extended due to space constraints.

Many other suburban and long distance trains will be either short terminated, short originated or diverted due to the block, the official informed. Due to this work, CR has cancelled the regular regular Sunday mega block.