1.6 km of new rail lines on Diva-Thane route to be operational from today

Ongoing rail works at the Diva-Thane section. Pic courtesy/ Rajendra B Aklekar

Finally, after 12 years, the first small section of Diva-Thane line will start operating from today. On Monday, about 1.6 km of the new rail lines and a tunnel will be in use as the first major connection works were being done throughout Sunday. Railways have appealed to people not to walk on tracks, which had remained idle for a long time and will be in regular use from Monday. A number of blocks will follow to complete the entire section by mid-January 2022.

"After the 18-hour block, suburban trains on the down slow line between Kalwa to Mumbra will be running on the new alignment from electric pole 36/21 to 38/7 and via new tunnel 1 for a length of approximately 1.6 km from December 20. After exiting the tunnel, the trains will run on the present down slow line," said Shivaji Sutar, Central Railway's chief public relations officer, who has been closely monitoring the developments since morning.

"Similarly, CSMT-bound slow suburban trains from Mumbra to Kalwa will also be running on the new alignment from electric pole 38/7 to 36/21 via new tunnel no 1. After exiting the tunnel, the trains will run on present up slow line," he said.

Officials said the connections will at present be temporary ones to facilitate the linking of Mumbra creek flyover to the old lines.

Central Railway officials said users are advised not to trespass or walk on the railway track as it will be dangerous and fatal.

"Around 500 workers, 100 supervisors and officers of MRVC and CR are at the site. The various machines used include six excavators, three tamping machines, two tower wagons and other allied equipment pressed into service," Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation's chief public relations officer Sunil Udasi told Mid-Day.

On Friday, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Manoj Arora (Central Circle) had inspected the complete section from Diva to Thane and authorised the go ahead with "cut and connection work" to complete the final linking work of the tracks.