Today will see the culmination of efforts spanning nearly 20 years when the much-delayed and eagerly awaited fifth and sixth lines between Thane and Kurla will finally be commissioned. The lines will be connected to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and the first train will roll along the newly opened tracks. The extra lines will mean the introduction of new services and also improved punctuality. As per the original plan, Central Railway was to have commissioned the lines on April 3, but chose to delay the inauguration because of the cricket World Cup. CR will undertake its first major block between 12:30 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday, to connect the lines, following which there will be separate lines for fast, slow and mail express trains. The demarcation will increase CR’s capacity. Fast lines—used also by the mail trains—will be freed up to increase services. The changes will be reflected in the annual railway timetable released in July. But officials said the introduction of new services will depend on the number of rakes pumped into the existing fleet. CR will undertake around five such long mega-blocks to complete the work. “Work at the site is going on at a frantic pace and will continue for a month at least,” said an offficial.
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