Mumbai’s suburban rail network is spread over CSMT to Karjat–Khopoli and Kasara on the main line, CSMT to Panvel/ Bandra on the Harbour line, Thane to Panvel on the Trans Harbour line and Nerul / Belapur to Uran on the Port line on Central Railway and Churchgate to Dahanu, Goregaon to CSMT on the Western Railway.
Recently 10 more services have been increased on the Nerul/Belapur -Uran line and 2 additional stations viz. Targhar & Gavan have also been commissioned for the benefit of commuters.
However the demand for train services on different routes is ever increasing and to provide better services for ease of travel, in Mumbai & Suburbs, various Railway Projects covering a total stretch of 400.53 kms at a total estimated cost of INR 18,364.94 crores have been planned are in different stages of execution including construction / extension of rail routes and upgradation of existing services
The details of Multiple Railway Projects under various stages of execution in Mumbai are as follows:
Central Railway
1. CSMT-Kurla 5th & 6th line Project
Project details: The CSMT-Kurla 5th & 6th line project by Central Railway, under MUTP-II covering a length of 17.5 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.891 crores is under execution in two phases.
Phase-I is from Parel to Kurla covering 10.1 kms with a Target Date of Completion by December-2025.
Phase –II is from Parel to CSMT covering 7.4 kms.
Benefits:
-Enhances track capacity to run more suburban and long-distance services.
-Reduces congestion and delays on existing lines.
-Improves overall punctuality of services.
2. Panvel-Karjat Suburban Corridor Project
Project details: The Panvel-Karjat Suburban Corridor project under MUTP-III covering a length of 29.6 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.2,782 crores is under execution.
This project is being executed by MRVC.
Earth work and work on tunnelling and bridges is in progress with a Target Date of Completion by December-2025.
Benefits:
- Introduces new suburban connectivity for passengers between Panvel and Karjat, reducing travel time.
- Provides an alternate route to reach Karjat.
- Improves suburban train frequency in the region
3. Kalyan - Asangaon 4th line Project
Project details: The Kalyan - Asangaon 4th line project by Central Railway, under MUTP-III-A covering a length of 32 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.1,759 crores is under execution.
Work of land acquisition is in progress with a Target Date of Completion by December 2026.
Benefits:
- Increases the capacity of the corridor to introduce more suburban train, which can reduce overcrowding in trains
- Reduces delays and improves operational efficiency on the high density route.
- Supports future growth in demand for both passenger and freight services.
4. Kalyan - Badlapur 3rd & 4th line Project
Project details: The Kalyan - Badlapur 3rd & 4th line project under MUTP-III-A covering a length of 14.05 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.1,510 crores is under execution.
This project is being executed by MRVC.
Work of Utility shifting, Earth work and Bridge work is in progress with a Target Date of Completion by December-2025.
Benefits:
- Provides more track capacity for suburban services, reducing overcrowding.
- Improves the overall punctuality of the system.
- Enhances reliability and frequency of suburban services.
5. Kalyan – Kasara 3rd line Project
Project details: The Kalyan – Kasara 3rd line project by Central Railway, covering a length of 67 track kilometres at an estimated cost of INR 792 crores is under execution in two phases.
Phase-I is from Asangaon to Kasara &
Phase –II is from Kalyan to Asangaon both with a Target Date of Completion by December-2025
Benefits:
- Allows for greater flexibility in train operations, particularly during peak hours.
- Reduces the chances of disruptions and delays on the route.
- Improves connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Mumbai’s northern suburbs.
6. Airoli-Kalva (elevated) suburban corridor link Project
Project details: The Airoli-Kalva (elevated) suburban corridor link project under MUTP-III covering a length of 3.3 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.476 crores is under execution in two phases.
Digha Gaon station has been commissioned under Phase-I &
Phase –II -Status-30 months after land acquisition and R&R completion.
This project is being executed by MRVC.
Benefits:
- Has provided an alternative route for suburban trains, reducing congestion on existing routes.
- Has enhanced connectivity between Thane and Navi Mumbai, easing pressure on other lines.
- Has reduced travel time and improved accessibility for passengers.
7. Nilaje-Kopar double chord line Project
Project details: The Nilaje-Kopar double chord line is a project by Central Railway, covering a length of 5 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.338 crores. Work for the same is currently in progress.
Benefits:
- Increases capacity for both passenger and freight trains.
- Reduces congestion and improves train frequency on this corridor.
- Enhances reliability and punctuality of services.
8. Badlapur - Karjat 3rd & 4th line Project
Project details: The Badlapur - Karjat 3rd & 4th line is a project by Central Railway, covering a length of 64 (32 x2) kilometres route length with 8 major bridges, 106 minor bridges, I Road Under Bridge and 6 stations enroute.
The total cost of the project is Rs.1324 crore on 50:50 sharing basis between Railways and Govt. of Maharashtra.
Benefits
•It is also a crucial link for the Mumbai Suburban network which will ease the traffic on the Kalyan-Karjat route.
•It will benefit daily commuters on Mumbai suburban network.
•It will benefit commuters between Mumbai and Pune.
•It will enable introduction of more passenger and freight trains.
•It will address capacity constrains amid industrial expansion in the region.
•It is expected to generate additional freight traffic of 7.2 million tons per annum.
•It is also likely to save 41 lakh litres of diesel and lead to logistic cost saving of Rs.46.2 crore every year.
•It will save 2 crore kg of Carbon Dioxide every year which is equivalent to planting approximately 8 lakh trees.
9. Asangaon– Kasara 4th line Project
Project details: The Asangaon – Kasara 4th line project by Central Railway, covering a length of 35 track kilometres at an estimated cost of INR 737.85 crores is under process
Benefits:
It will benefit daily commuters on Mumbai suburban network.
- Allows for greater flexibility in train operations.
- Reduces the chances of disruptions and delays on the route.
- Improves connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Mumbai’s northern suburbs.
Western Railway
1. Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line Project
Project details: The Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line project under MUTP-II covering a length of 30 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.919 crores is under execution in two phases.
Under Phase-I commissioning of Khar- Kandivali has been completed &
Under Phase –II work is in progress for the Kandivali-Borivali stretch of 3.21 kms with a Target Date of Completion by January-2026
Benefits:
• Enhanced line capacity of Mumbai Suburban section
• Easing congestion over the busy suburban and mainline tracks
• Improvement in punctuality of trains
• Trains from & to Bandra terminus will have dedicated two lines on this section
• Segregation of Main Line trains and Suburban trains
• Beneficial to commuters on Andheri – Borivali - Virar section
2. Extension of Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivali
Project details: The Extension of Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivali is a project under MUTP-III-A, covering a length of 7.08 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.898 crores.
Work of land acquisition for the same is currently in progress with a
Target Date of Completion of Goregaon-Malad section by March-2028 &
Target Date of Completion of Malad-Borivali section by December-2028
Benefits:
• Direct Connectivity between Borivali and CSMT
• Additional line capacity on Goregaon – Borivali section
• Reduction in crowding at Goregaon & Borivali stations
• No need for changing trains at Goregaon for travelling to CSMT
• Beneficial for people of Western suburbs
3. Borivali-Virar 5th & 6th line Project
Project details: The Borivali-Virar 5th & 6th line is a project under MUTP-III-A, covering a length of 26 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.2,184.09 crores.
The alignment work has been finalised and Utility shifting & bridge/platform work is in progress.
The Target Date of Completion by March-2028.
This project is being executed by MRVC
Benefits:
• Additional line capacity on Borivali- Virar section
• Will help in running additional local trains
• Ease in travel conditions for people between Virar & Borivali
• Segregation of Main Line trains and Suburban trains
4. Virar-Dahanu 3rd & 4th line Project
Project details: The Virar-Dahanu 3rd & 4th line is a project under MUTP-III, covering a length of 64 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs.3,578 crores.
This project is being executed by MRVC.
Work status – 43% physical progress with 50 bridges/RUBs completed.
Target Date of Completion by December-2026.
Benefits:
• Additional line capacity on Virar-Dahanu section
• Will help in running additional local trains over this section
• Ease in travel for people between Vaitarna to Dahanu Road
• Beneficial for people of Palghar district, especially daily commuters travelling beyond Virar & vice versa
5. Naigaon-Juichandra double chord line Project
Project details: The Naigaon-Juichandra double chord line is a project by Western Railway, covering a length of 6 track kilometres at an estimated cost of INR 176 crores. Work for the same is currently in progress with Target Date of Completion by March 2028.
Benefits:
• Direct connectivity for Konkan Railway, Panvel and onwards from Mumbai Central/ Bandra Terminus with no need of loco reversal at Vasai Road.
• Will benefit people from Western suburbs travelling towards Konkan, Goa and beyond
• Will help in starting new trains
• No need to reverse the loco at Vasai Road station