CR officials say 75 per cent of the physical work is already complete; add that with the Kalamboli coaching complex, trains now won’t have to travel to south Bombay for maintenance works
The Panvel terminus project involves one new island platform of 26 coach length, a home platform with circulating area for passengers
Work on a strategic outstation terminus station at Panvel, with an aim to decongest the city’s rail traffic which is the need of the hour, is nearing completion. Once done, this terminus will not only cater to more trains from Central Railway, but also become a major focal point for trains from Konkan Railway and down south.
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Sanctioned in 2016-17, the project is expected to complete by December 2023. As of Monday, 75 per cent of the physical work is complete. Panvel will become Navi Mumbai’s first rail terminus, allowing commuters to board several outstation trains at Panvel without having to travel to the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) or other terminals.
“The most important thing is that it will create additional facilities and not require all trains to travel all the way to south Mumbai at Wadibunder or Mazgaon yards for maintenance. The coaching complex and hub of Kalamboli will look after such things,” a senior Central Railway official said.
Outstation train services heading towards the Konkan in Maharashtra are expected to operate from the new train terminus. Presently, up to 20 outstation trains operate between Mumbai and Konkan every day and another 5-6 new trains are likely to be introduced once the terminus starts operation. CR also aims to operate new trains of 24 coaches from the new terminus. With completion of electrification on Konkan Railway, the number of trains may increase.
The facilities
The new Panvel terminus project involves one new island platform of 26 coach length, a home platform with circulating area for passengers. In addition, it involves construction of a foot overbridge, 1,500 sqm new station building with supporting facilities.
Meanwhile, the new Kalamboli maintenance hub includes provision of four washing-cum-pit lines, two stabling lines of 26 coach length and also entry-cum-exit lines for 26-coach trains in addition to a maintenance 130 metre by 10 metre shed. The Panvel terminus and the Kamboli coaching complex will be linked with a separate third line with necessary connectivity on both sides so that it does not infringe on the existing operational traffic.
Status report
“Work is at an advanced stage. Formation of minor bridges between Panvel and Kalamboli have been completed. The maintenance shed and station building at Kalamboli are also complete and foundation work of deck slab work is under process,” said an official.
Since the land surrounding the station is with CIDCO, a tripartite agreement with it is under finalisation. Also, 1.92 hectares will be handed over by CIDCO for providing ramp to deck slab and circulating area,” the official added.
2016-17
Year when the project was sanctioned
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