Title - Harbour commuters can now skirt mega block

MUMBAI: Commuting between CST and Navi Mumbai during mega blocks will get easier now as the Central Railway has completed a crossover track to allow trains from the Main line to switch over to the Trans-Harbour network at Thane.A crossover has been provided between Thane and Mulund to allow trains to switch tracks from the fifth and sixth corridors to Platform No 9 and 10, from where the Trans-Harbour train services originate and terminate at Thane."We plan to run services to Navi Mumbai via Trans-Harbour whenever the next mega block is planned between Panvel and Vashi," CR divisional railway manager Mukesh Nigam said.Train service for Navi Mumbai via Thane will run on the Main line between CST and Thane. From Thane, the train will switch tracks to go to Navi Mumbai via the existing Thane-Vashi and Thane-Panvel routes on the Trans-Harbour network."Initially, the motorman will be accompanied by loco inspectors, who will assist in navigating the new route," a senior Central Railway official said.

The official said CR would be able to run five to six services in each direction during the block period, which is usually between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm. "Initially, we may run three to four services and gradually increase the frequency, depending on demand and rake availability," the official said.

Today, all services to and from CST come to halt during a mega block on a stretch of tracks in Navi Mumbai, forcing commuters to go by road to Kurla to take a train to CST.

Unlike the four-corridor Main line, the Harbour line has only two corridors. During a mega block on the Main line, if services are blocked on slow line commuters can still take trains as services are run on the fast corridors, and vice versa. Such an option is not available on the Harbour line during a mega block.

Nigam said Harbour line trains can also be operated via Main line and Trans-Harbour network during an emergency, such as occasions when technical issues disrupt services on the Harbour line.