After facing a delay of more than 25 years, the long-awaited train service on Mumbai division of Central Railway (CR)'s Seawoods-Kharkopar-Uran corridor is finally set to resume within the next two weeks. The completion of this crucial project comes at a time when the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is rapidly expanding and requires enhanced connectivity, especially the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).
According to reports, the rail line is expected to be fully operational within the next 8–10 days. However, it is worth noting that the project has faced significant delays. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has reported a time overrun of 216 months.
Construction work on the rail line has been completed by the Central Railway up to Uran. But the second section of the Kharkopar-Uran corridor requires an official opening. Once fully operational, the Central Railway plans to run local trains on the Fourth Corridor, a 26.7-kilometre rail line connecting Belapur, Seawoods, and Uran.
Rail officials and the Commissioner of Railway Safety have conducted thorough testing and approved the line for a maximum speed of 70 km/h. The first stage of the project covers a distance of 12.4 kilometres between Nerul/Belapur and Kharkopar. It was opened to the public in November 2018. The second stage, which covers the remaining 14.3 kilometres, has been completed. This has brought the entire rail corridor closer to becoming fully operational.
The resumption of train service on this rail corridor holds great significance for commuters travelling to the planned Navi Mumbai Airport and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. It will provide vital connectivity to these important locations and significantly reduce travel time. With the entire corridor in operation, commuters will be able to travel from CSMT to Uran in approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
The rail line will encompass five stations along the route. They include Gavhanpada, Ranjanpada, Nhava-Sheva, Dronagiri, and Uran. These stations will also feature several bridges that play a crucial role in connecting different areas. But, the project has faced challenges and missed deadlines. It is because of the opposition from neighbouring villages over compensation issues.
It is important to note that the current estimated cost of the project stands at around INR 2,970 crore, which is significantly higher than the initial estimate of INR 495 crore. Despite these cost overruns, the Central Railway remains committed to providing efficient train services to meet the growing demands of the region.
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