After missing ‘line-fit’ certification disrupted hundreds of operations, WR completes critical crossover work; however, speed restrictions to keep some trains off schedule for a week
Trains ply on the new lines between Borivali and Churchgate near Kandivali railway station on Wednesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
After working through the night and early hours of Wednesday, January 21, Western Railway (WR) engineering teams completed the work to make the Kandivali car shed line operational, allowing most local train cancellations withdrawn by Wednesday morning. However, a few services will continue to remain cancelled due to mandatory speed restrictions on newly laid tracks, which are expected to remain in force for about a week.
“The Kandivli crossover was given fit this morning, and the first Malad-Churchgate superfast service operated today. It departed Malad at 9.06 am,” a WR official said. “Most cancellations imposed due to the block have been withdrawn after completion of the work. However, a few cancellations will continue because after laying new tracks, mandatory speed restrictions are imposed for about a week. Due to these restrictions, trains tend to bunch up, leading to detentions. To avoid this, a few cancellations will remain in place until operations normalise,” the official added.
Despite completing a month-long block to commission a new line and increase capacity, WR had to cancel hundreds of local trains after failing to complete the critical entry and exit lines of the Kandivali car shed, leading to widespread commuter distress. The lapse, which severely affected operations, was flagged by mid-day. In the rush to complete the project, the WR engineers forgot one important thing of giving “line-fit” certificate to the crucial Churchgate-end entry and exit lines of Kandivali car shed. This led to a major problem as the car shed was isolated from one side and local trains were forced to be taken out in one direction and a few parked elsewhere, disturbing the existing rake links.
Cancellations on Thursday
A few suburban services will continue to remain cancelled, and speed restrictions will stay in place, but the number of cancellations will be significantly lower than those imposed during the Kandivali block. WR officials said services are expected to fully normalise once the speed restrictions are lifted in about a week.
9.06 am
Time when the Malad-Churchgate superfast train operated on Jan 21
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
