Western Railway (WR), while sharing Mumbai local train updates, announced a major traffic and maintenance block between key sections in Mumbai on April 4 and 5, 2026.
An official statement said that a major block will be undertaken on the fifth line between Bandra Terminus and Bandra from 10 am on April 4 to 10 pm on April 5.
The work is being carried out to augment Culvert No. 22. During this period, Level Crossing No. 18 between the two stations will remain closed for road traffic.
Jumbo block between Mumbai Central and Mahim
In addition, a jumbo block will be conducted between Mumbai Central and Mahim, the statement said.
It said, this block will take place during the intervening night of April 4 and 5, from 12:15 am to 4:15 am.
Impact on train operations
During the jumbo block, all fast line trains will be diverted to slow lines between Santacruz and Churchgate.
The maintenance work will include track, signalling and overhead equipment upgrades.
Advisory for commuters
Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, as changes in train operations and temporary disruptions are expected during the block period.
WR witnessing a curious post-pandemic trend
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s suburban railway network on the Western Railway is witnessing a curious post-pandemic trend: daily ridership remains below pre-Covid levels, yet revenue has not only recovered but surpassed earlier figures, largely driven by AC local trains.
WR operates as many as 133 AC local trains on its suburban section.
According to the latest data, WR’s general suburban services carried an average of 34.87 lakh passengers daily before Covid, generating about Rs 2.12 crore in daily revenue. In contrast, current figures show 29.52 lakh daily passengers, but higher earnings of Rs 2.39 crore per day.
WR Mumbai Divisional Railway Manager Pankaj Singh attributed the increase in earnings to a change in passenger mix, with more commuters opting for AC EMUs.
53.71 lakh passengers used AC locals
“In March 2026 alone, about 53.71 lakh passengers used AC locals. There has been a noticeable rise in commuters opting for first-class and AC local services, which yield higher fares,” he said. Additionally, stricter enforcement against ticketless travel has improved compliance and contributed to higher collections.
Another factor is changing post-pandemic travel behaviour. With hybrid work models still in place, the number of daily office commuters, once the backbone of suburban traffic, has not fully rebounded. At the same time, occasional and non-regular travellers are more likely to purchase single tickets instead of heavily subsidised monthly passes, improving per-passenger revenue.
