Mumbai: Passengers travelling on the popular Konkan route trains Netravati Express and Matsyagandha Express will face inconvenience for the next one month, as both trains will temporarily skip Kurla (LTT) and Thane stations and operate from Panvel instead.
According to railway authorities, the diversion has been implemented due to pit line maintenance work at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) under Central Railway. As part of this arrangement, the Thiruvananthapuram–LTT Netravati Express (16346) and the Mangaluru Central–LTT Matsyagandha Express (12620) will cease operations at Kurla and Thane and will originate and terminate at Panvel until January 29.
Similarly, the return services LTT–Thiruvananthapuram Netravati Express (16345) and LTT–Mangaluru Central Matsyagandha Express (12619) — will also be operated from Panvel during this period.
The diversion is expected to cause hardship to passengers, especially Malayali travellers from Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Ambernath and adjoining suburbs, who traditionally board these trains from Kurla or Thane. Passengers will now have to travel to Panvel by local trains, taxis, or other means, leading to additional travel time and expenses.
Commuters have pointed out that reaching Panvel with luggage is difficult, and taxi fares could increase by at least ₹1,000, adding to the burden. Many have urged the railways to consider alternative arrangements or additional assistance for passengers during the maintenance period.
Netravati Express remains one of the most preferred daily trains connecting Mumbai and Kerala via the Konkan route, and the temporary diversion has drawn widespread attention among frequent travellers.