16 August,2026 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Authorities earlier carried out demolition of slums for the rail corridor. (Pic/Rajendra B Aklekar)
The Airoli-Kalwa Elevated Suburban Corridor has achieved 45 per cent progress, according to the July 2026 project update, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) said.
As per officials, the project has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 476 crore and is being implemented in two phases.
Phase-1 of the project, which includes the new Digha Gaon suburban station and associated works that do not require land acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R), has been completed.
The Digha Gaon Station was commissioned on January 12, 2024. Bridges No 36/4 and 36/5 have also been completed, while both the UP and DOWN girders of the Mukund Road Underbridge have been launched.
On the delayed Phase-2 work, officials highlighted that this particular part involves construction of the elevated corridor between Airoli and Kalwa and is linked to the completion of land acquisition and R&R.
The project requires 2.40 hectares, of which 1.87 hectares of government land has already been acquired, while acquisition of the remaining 0.53 hectares of private land is under process.
For R&R, 868 tenements have been earmarked by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) at Balkum in Thane.
R&R for 82 Project Affected Households (PAHs), comprising 75 tenements and seven Common Property Resources (CPRs), has already been completed.
Of the remaining 786 Project Affected Persons/Households, joint verification of 350 PAHs at Bhola Nagar has been completed. The process of allotment of rehabilitation tenements is now being undertaken by MMRDA.
However, physical verification of the remaining 436 Project Affected Persons at Shivaji Nagar is yet to be completed due to resistance from certain residents and local representatives.
The matter is being pursued in coordination with the Maharashtra government and other stakeholders to facilitate the early completion of the verification and R&R process.
In a press release issued on Sunday, MRVC, highlighting the details of the project, said that they are maintaining regular coordination with the agencies and stakeholders concerned to expedite the pending processes.
Phase-II construction will be taken up after the requisite land acquisition and R&R are completed. The project is targeted for completion within 36 months after complete land acquisition.
Sunil G Udasi, Chief Manager (Corporate Coordination), MRVC, said, "The completed corridor would provide an important suburban rail link between the Trans-Harbour and Central Railway networks."
"Once completed, the Airoli-Kalwa Elevated Corridor will provide an important suburban rail link between the Trans-Harbour and Central Railway networks, enhancing connectivity and offering greater travel convenience to commuters in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region," Udasi added.
