Bank slide disrupts Mumbai-Surat services; several trains cancelled

Train services on Western Railway's busy Mumbai-Surat section were disrupted on Wednesday after a bank slide and soil erosion between Udvada (UVD) and Pardi (PAD) stations caused a signal to sink and tilt, affecting rail operations.

According to railway officials, the incident occurred between Km 184/8–10, where heavy rainfall triggered soil movement, washing away ballast around a signal post adjacent to the tracks.

While the main railway track remains structurally intact, the 9-metre-high embankment at the affected site has made restoration work more challenging.

Single-line operations in place

As a precautionary safety measure, Western Railway has suspended traffic on the DOWN main line and is operating trains on a single line via the UP main line to regulate movement and clear congestion.

Officials said restoration work is expected to take six to seven hours.

Several trains cancelled, short-terminated

The disruption has led to the cancellation, short-termination and diversion of multiple train services.

The 69153 Umbergaon Road–Valsad passenger has been cancelled for the day.

Among the long-distance trains affected:

12934 Ahmedabad–Bandra Terminus Express has been short-terminated at Valsad, with the return 12933 Bandra Terminus–Ahmedabad Express operating from Valsad. The train will remain cancelled between Valsad and Bandra Terminus in both directions.

12932 Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central Express has been short-terminated at Navsari, while the return 12931 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Express will originate from Navsari. Services between Valsad and Mumbai Central have been cancelled.

20908 Bhuj–Dadar Express (Journey commencing July 21) has been short-terminated at Surat, with the return 20907 Dadar–Bhuj Express operating from Surat. The train will remain cancelled between Surat and Dadar.

12996 Ajmer–Bandra Terminus Express (Journey commencing July 21) has also been short-terminated at Valsad, with the return service starting from there.

22930 Vadodara–Dahanu Road MEMU has been short-terminated at Bhilad, while the return service will originate from Bhilad.

59045 Mumbai Central–Vapi Passenger has been short-terminated at Gholvad, with the return service operating from the same station.

69139 Borivali–Valsad Passenger has been short-terminated at Vapi, while the empty rake will proceed to Surat.

69154 Surat–Umbergaon Road Passenger has been short-terminated at Valsad.

Western Railway has advised passengers to check the latest train status before commencing their journey as restoration work continues on the affected section.

* This article was originally published here