Commuters on Central Railway (CR) need to brace for changes as the revised Mumbai local train timetable takes effect from midnight on October 5. This new schedule has introduced significant changes to the timing and routing of trains, leading to a wave of frustration and confusion among regular passengers, particularly those traveling late at night.
As part of the overhaul, 86 suburban trains on CR will operate under the new timetable. Notably, 24 slow trains that used to originate or terminate at Dadar have been permanently shifted to Parel. Additionally, six suburban trains originating or terminating at Thane will now be extended to Kalyan. To reduce congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Platform 11 at Dadar will be utilized, transferring 11 pairs of fast services from CSMT to Dadar.
However, the changes that have upset commuters the most are the earlier departure times of the last Karjat and Kasara locals from CSMT. Beginning October 5, the final train to Karjat will now leave 12 minutes earlier, at 12:12 a.m., while the last Kasara local will depart six minutes earlier, at 12:08 a.m.
A CR official explained the reasons behind these adjustments, stating, “Due to congestion, especially during rush hours, many trains are forced to wait at the outer signal at CSMT. With 254 fast trains currently originating and terminating at CSMT, platform shortages frequently result in delays. The planned shift of 11 pairs of fast trains from CSMT to Dadar is expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce waiting times at CSMT.”
The timetable overhaul is part of an effort to align suburban train schedules with the updated timings for Mail and Express trains, a change that CR hopes will ease congestion and improve punctuality. However, regular passengers, particularly those traveling late at night, are already expressing concerns over the earlier departure times of key services.
For a full list of the revised timings and stations affected, commuters are advised to check the official Central Railway website or visit their nearest railway station for updated schedules.
