Central Railway to Implement Midnight Traffic Blocks at LTT

In a strategic move aimed at upgrading infrastructure, Central Railway (CR) has announced that it will implement special night-time traffic blocks at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) from November 26 to November 28, 2024. The objective of these traffic blocks is to facilitate essential works on the Scissor Crossing and Double Diamond Switch, critical components of the railway network that require urgent renewal. However, these crucial repairs will result in significant disruptions to train schedules, with several services being short-terminated or delayed.

The blocks will occur during late-night hours, ranging from midnight to early morning, to minimize the impact on daily commuters. However, the night-time disruption will inevitably affect long-distance and express train services operating from LTT. As a result, several trains scheduled to arrive at LTT will be short-terminated at Thane station instead, affecting passenger travel.

The affected services will include high-profile long-distance trains such as the KCVL-LTT Express (Train No. 22114), SHM-LTT Express (Train Nos. 12102, 18030), VSKP-LTT Express (Train No. 18519), and GKP-LTT Express (Train No. 20104). Additionally, other trains like the Ballarshah-LTT Express (Train No. 22110) and Ayodhya Cantt-LTT Express (Train No. 22104) will also be impacted by these scheduled blocks. Furthermore, the blocks will lead to delays in the departure times of certain trains, including the Raxaul-LTT Express (Train No. 15547), Pratapgarh-LTT Express (Train No. 12174), and Chhapra-LTT Express (Train No. 15101). These trains are expected to experience a delay of up to 45 minutes, with other trains like the LTT-Gorakhpur Express and LTT-Ayodhya Cantt Express facing delays ranging from 20 to 40 minutes.

While these temporary disruptions are part of a larger plan to enhance operational efficiency and modernise the infrastructure at LTT, the delays and short-term terminations are likely to cause inconvenience to passengers. Commuters are advised to stay updated on the status of their respective trains and make alternate arrangements if required. Central Railway’s decision to carry out the necessary repairs and upgrades is vital for the long-term functionality of the LTT yard, which plays a critical role in Mumbai’s railway system. However, the timing of these works, coming just ahead of the peak holiday season, means that the inconvenience caused to passengers could be significant. Despite the challenges posed by these traffic blocks, Central Railway has assured that the works are in line with their efforts to improve the overall quality of service and ensure smoother operations in the future. In the coming days, the railway authorities will continue to monitor the progress and address any further delays that may arise.