Central Railway likely to carry out 10-hour block on September 18

Central Railway (CR) is likely to carry out a 10-hour block on September 18 to construct a new platform and connections for the same at Diva for trains headed towards Kalyan, which would allow fast trains to halt at the station by Diwali.

The block, to be taken between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm, is part of a series of four blocks over the next three weekends after September 18.

The decision about fast trains was taken in the wake of one of the biggest riots at Diva station in January last year, meant to protest against train disruptions for over six hours on January 1, 2015. The riot cost the railways '2 crore in damages to property after the mob vandalised trains.

Officials said that the plan that had been rolled out since will finally allow fast trains to halt at Diva by Diwali.

“We hope that the people of Diva will have this facility available to them by Diwali, which is an auspicious occasion to start such a service, which will benefit so many people,” said the additional general manager of CR, A.K. Srivastava.

For the first time in the history of blocks carried out by the railways, CR has decided to run around 10 buses between Mumbra and Thane and Diva and Thakurli to reduce inconvenience to commuters.

“There are no road connections on these sections, so people can use the buses that we will be providing. Our ticket collectors will be manning these buses and only those who have a valid railway pass will be allowed to board them,” he said.

Trains towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus will run as usual. However, trains from Thane to Kalyan will not be available.