Mumbai: Soon, travel to Konkan, southern states directly via Western Railway

The link will make travel to Konkan and south India from Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus or Dadar possible. File pic

The Western Railway (WR) has decided to focus on the missing link to connect Mumbai Central to Konkan and south India even as the Jogeshwari Terminus plan has been accorded second priority.

"The crucial link between Naigaon and Juchandra will be of immense help to commuters and outstation passenger traffic. Its survey has been completed and it will boost traffic movement," Alok Kansal, WR general manager said. There are over 30 lakh commuters on WR who travel along the Konkan Railway and down south. At present, trains starting from Mumbai Central, Dadar or Bandra Terminus for Konkan Railway and south India need to get an engine reversal at Vasai due to the absence of a direct link, leading to loss of time. Hence, currently, only holiday specials and limited trains are taken by this route. Once the missing link between Naigaon and Juchandra stations is made, it will enable direct connectivity.

The survey had been sanctioned in the 2018 railway budget. Commuters along the WR are forced to travel all the way to Dadar on Central Railway (CR) or Panvel or take the limited trains at Vasai. The 7-km stretch between Naigaon and Juchandra on the Vasai-Diva line will be a double line rail flyover connector.

Officials said that once the Dedicated Freight Corridor comes up and more paths are created for trains after the completion of additional lines in Mumbai suburban area, it would be practically possible to start trains originating from Mumbai Central to Konkan Railway and down south. Late commuter activist Jagdish B. Rane had first proposed this around 2016 when Suresh Prabhu was the railway minister. mid-day has also been following up on the issue from Day 1.

15-car locals on slow line
WR officials said on Monday that 15 car trains on the slow line will begin plying in a month's time. "The project is in its final stages and we hope to complete it by month-end. Initially, there will be limitations on the number of 15-car trains, but it will help boost passenger capacity," a senior official said.

2018
Year a survey for the link was sanctioned by the railways