WR Locals Delayed as Speed Restrictions Near Mahim Disrupt Mumbai Commutes

Mumbai, April 16: Daily commuters on Mumbai’s Western Railway (WR) faced significant delays on Wednesday as a speed restriction imposed between Bandra and Mahim stations slowed local trains by up to 15 minutes. The speed reduction, enforced due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades, has disrupted the schedules of both fast and slow trains, sparking widespread commuter frustration.

Trains passing over the Mithi River bridge — a key section of the route — are currently restricted to speeds of just 20–30 km/h, drastically lower than normal. As a result, even fast trains are reportedly taking over 30 minutes to travel short distances, such as from Andheri to Bandra.

“This is causing chaos in people’s routines. A fast train is running slower than a slow one!” lamented a commuter on social media. Another urged the authorities to “restore normalcy at the earliest.”

According to Western Railway officials, the speed limit is temporary and will be increased to 45 km/h by the end of the week. The restriction was introduced following the replacement of the old British-era railway bridge over the Mithi River. The original structure, supported by cast iron screw piles deemed structurally outdated, has been replaced with modern steel girders to ensure greater safety.

The bridge reconstruction was carried out during night blocks on Friday and Saturday, each lasting 9.5 hours. To accommodate the complex engineering work, 334 local train services were cancelled over the two nights.

Despite acknowledging the inconvenience, officials from the Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Mumbai stressed that the upgrade was critical for the long-term safety and reliability of train services. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused. The current delays are temporary and necessary to ensure the bridge settles under regular train load,” the official said.

Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly until the speed restrictions are lifted and regular schedules are restored.