Mumbai Local Train Update: Western Railway Removes 14 Speed Restrictions On Churchgate–Virar Route To Improve Train Punctuality

Commuters on the Western Railway (WR) suburban line can now expect faster and smoother journeys. Between April 24 and July 25, WR has removed 14 permanent caution orders along the Churchgate–Virar route. These orders had previously required local trains to slow down at specific stretches due to safety or maintenance concerns.

14 Permanent Caution Orders Removed in Three Months

According to sources, these 14 permanent caution orders were located as follows: two between Matunga and Mahim, and two more between Mahim and Bandra. One caution order was found near Santacruz, while another was located within the Andheri Yard. An additional one was situated between Santacruz and Bandra, with one more between Bandra and Mahim on the UP STA (Suburban Track Avoiding) line. Similarly, one was located between Mahim and Matunga on the UP STA line. Another caution order was located between Jogeshwari and Goregaon, while yet another was located between Santacruz and Bandra on the UP STA line. Lastly, three permanent caution orders were located between Naigaon and Nallasopara.

Issues Like Super Elevation and Overhead Wiring Resolved

"Although there are still more than 50 caution orders in place between Churchgate and Virar, the removal of these 14 is a significant relief for the Mumbai Suburban Section,” a WR official said. These 14 caution orders were either removed or relaxed between April 24 and July 25.

"Among these, three caution orders in the Naigaon–Nallasopara section were lifted on June 30. These restrictions were initially imposed due to issues related to inadequate transition length, improper super elevation, and unregulated overhead wiring in the affected areas," said a WR official.

Similarly, three other caution orders were lifted on the Down Harbour Line between Khar Road and Santacruz. These were also imposed due to inadequate super elevation and the absence of proper transition curves.

" These restrictions had collectively led to approximately two minutes of extra travel time on the Churchgate–Virar route," the official stated.

“Although a two-minute delay may seem minor, the cascading effect across the day due to these caution orders was considerable. Their removal has already started to streamline operations, and we expect a noticeable improvement in punctuality in the near future,” he said.

Caution orders are issued by Indian Railways whenever a section of the track requires speed restrictions due to maintenance work, repairs, or other safety-related concerns. These orders require trains to reduce speed at specific points, leading to longer travel times.

Over 58 km of Sleeper Renewal Done in FY 2024–25

Additionally, WR has also undertaken major infrastructure upgrades. "In the 2024–25 fiscal year (April to March), a total of 58.87 km of sleeper renewal work was completed using the Track Relaying Train (TRT) machine. The maintenance targeted critical locations, replacing old and broken low-capacity sleepers. As a result, no major track-related failures were reported during this period," an official stated.

Enhanced Punctuality and Efficiency Expected Going Forward

“Given the dense and continuous traffic in the Mumbai Suburban Section, asset maintenance is of the utmost importance. The recent upgrades not only enhanced safety but also enabled the relaxation or removal of several caution orders,” added the official.

"The cumulative impact of these measures is expected to further enhance the efficiency and punctuality of train services in one of the busiest suburban rail networks in the country in the near future," a senior officer of WR stated.