Mumbai: Three stations to get double discharge platforms

Diva station, which is under consideration for double discharge platform, recently underwent a change in platform alignment for a fast train platform

Vidyavihar, Nahur and Diva stations are likely to get double discharge platforms, which allow commuters to board or alight a train from both sides, soon. The Central Railway said a plan to this effect is in proposal stage and added that the move will not only help increase passenger capacity at these stations but will also help decongest the stations around it.

"Three halt stations on Central Railway - Vidyavihar, Diva and Nahur - are getting an upgrade of a home platform, which means these three stations would be able to double the capacity of passenger intake. The plan is at a proposal stage and would move ahead to implementation stage in the next two years or so," said a top CR official.

The official added, "The idea is that it would not just decongest these stations but also the immediate stations such as Ghatkopar and Kurla which are near Vidyavihar; Mulund and Bhandup on either side of Nahur; and Kalwa near Diva. So, it is a two-point plan. We will now see what needs to be done in terms of space and other elements to implement the plan."

As per latest statistics, the daily average sale of tickets at Diva is 21,534, while the number is 6,244 at Nahur and 8,526 at Vidyavihar.

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At Vidyavihar station, work is already on to build an east-west road overbridge which has one of the largest girders in Maharashtra. The west side of the station is already under construction and a new platform will further boost commuter connectivity. The station was originally opened on April 21, 2006.

Meanwhile, work on widening the existing ROB is ongoing at Nahur station. There is a small public pathway with the entrance of a private industrial firm on the west side of the station premises, which was originally opened on August 16, 1961.

The station platform alignment at Diva has been changed recently to introduce a fast train platform. In addition, construction is on for an east-west ROB at the station that started in 1877.

Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Shivaji Sutar confirmed the development and said that the plans of these stations were at a proposal stage.

Commuters on Central Railway, however, said that the authorities should get a double discharge platform at Dadar platform one first and added that there have been a number of deaths due to narrowness of the platform. "The problem is so serious that the railway police has posted a permanent team there to manage the crowd. The real emergency is there," said Sachin Raje, a commuter association member.

21,534
Average daily ticket sale at Diva station