Mumbai’s local trains are more than just transport.
They are the city’s lifeline.
Every day, lakhs of commuters depend on them — office-goers, students, small business owners, and workers.
If local trains slow down, Mumbai slows down.
Now, Central Railway has announced a major step to improve punctuality and reduce daily travel chaos.
Express Trains to Be Stopped During Peak Hours
In a key operational change, long-distance express trains will no longer enter suburban railway corridors during peak hours.
Until now, both express and local trains shared the same tracks during rush hours.
This often caused congestion and delays.
When an express train entered the suburban stretch, local trains had to slow down or wait.
This led to:
Overcrowded platforms
Packed train coaches
Frequent delays
Increased commuter frustration
With the new directive, local trains will get priority during busy morning and evening hours.
Railway officials believe this will help suburban services run more smoothly and on time.
Holding Points Introduced to Reduce Congestion
Under the new system, express trains will be regulated at outer stations such as Titwala and Asangaon during peak hours.
These stations will act as holding points.
Express trains will wait there instead of entering heavily crowded city routes.
Once peak traffic reduces, they will be allowed to proceed.
This move is aimed at streamlining operations and ensuring that daily commuters face fewer disruptions.
Relief for Daily Commuters
The decision is expected to bring noticeable relief to Mumbai’s working population.
Commuters may experience:
Shorter waiting times
Fewer unscheduled halts
Better punctuality
More predictable travel
The change comes after repeated complaints about delays. Recently, several local trains were delayed by 10 to 50 minutes, causing chaos across platforms. Many passengers missed connections and reached offices late.
Frustrated commuters even took to social media to express their anger over constant disruptions on the Central Railway line.
By prioritising local train movement during rush hours, Central Railway aims to reduce delays and improve the overall travel experience.
For a city that runs on its local trains, even small improvements can make a big difference.
