22 February,2022 10:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
The 32-km track fourth line between Kalyan and Asangaon is part of next phase of the project
The upcoming additions of rail corridors, as mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech during the inauguration of two additional railway lines connecting Thane and Diva on February 18, are likely to come up in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). While the earlier phases of Mumbai Urban Transport Projects (MUTP) have added around 200 km of rail lines to the suburban corridor, the new lines may link satellite townships around Mumbai.
As per a study by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the MMR contributes around 8 per cent of India's GDP and is home to about 22 million citizens. It anticipates the population in the MMR to grow by around 42 per cent to 28.4 million in 2025 and by 54 per cent to 30.87 million in 2036.
Railway officials said under MUTP-3, a new 56-km Panvel-Karjat double line corridor is to be built at a cost of Rs 2,783 crore. It is proposed to the left of the existing line from Panvel to Karjat.
In addition to this work, the 128 track km of new third and fourth lines between Virar and Dahanu is already at an advanced phase under MUTP-3. This will help boost the capacity of trains on Western Railway, Mumbai.
A smaller corridor, like the 8-km Kalwa-Airoli elevated link, for rehabilitation of the project-affected people is in process under MUTP-3. The next phase of the project MUTP-3A will comprise around a 14-track km extension of harbour line from Goregaon to Borivli, 52 track km on fifth and sixth lines between Borivli and Virar, 32 track km fourth line between Kalyan-Asangaon and 28 track km between third and fourth line between Kalyan and Badlapur.
14-track km
Length of harbour line extension
Total track km in addition under MUTP projects
MUTP-1: Completed
Total track km- 93
MUTP-2: In progress
Total track km- 90
MUTP-3: In progress
Total track km- 192
MUTP-3A: Sanctioned
Total track km- 126
