Mid-Day Exclusive: Andheri station may get new East-side exit with 12-car platform

The site where the proposed 12-car home platform will be built at Andheri station. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Andheri station could get a new passenger exit towards Andheri East, with Western Railway proposing a 12-car home platform alongside the sixth line to ease peak-hour congestion. The facility would allow passengers arriving on platform 9 to alight from either side of the train and exit directly towards the Andheri East road, reducing the need to use the station's existing passenger circulation areas.

The proposal comes amid recurring crowding at the station, where passengers from arriving trains can spill onto foot overbridges (FOBs) and staircases. Andheri handles more than 1000 suburban train movements and around 4.5 lakh passengers a day, according to railway sources.

"The proposed 12-car home platform is expected to provide passengers with a dedicated and convenient movement facility, reducing pressure on the FOB and improving passenger circulation and safety, particularly during peak hours. With a double discharge facility, it will allow passengers to get down on either side of the train and seamlessly exit from the home platform," Western Railway chief public relations officer Vineet Abhishek told mid-day.

How the proposed platform will help

12-car home platform: Proposed on the east side, alongside the sixth line

Double discharge: Passengers on platform 9 could alight from either side

Direct exit: East-side passengers could head directly towards Andheri East road

Less FOB pressure: The additional exit is expected to reduce crowding on foot overbridges and staircases

Peak-hour relief: The facility is aimed at improving passenger circulation and safety during busy periods

Other works at Andheri

Several infrastructure works are also under way to improve train operations at the station.

Platforms 4 and 5: Both are being extended towards the south. The work will facilitate reversal of trains from platform 5 towards Virar.

Platforms 6 and 7: Platform 6 is being extended 20 metres towards the south and platform 7 by 10 metres towards the north. Signal S-49 is also being shifted southwards. The changes will facilitate reversal of trains from platform 6 towards Mumbai and allow trains such as the Flying Ranee to be accommodated fully within the platform limits.

Platform 7 signal: A new signal at the northern end is planned to facilitate reversal of up-through trains to the down-through line.

Harbour line crossover: WR is providing an emergency crossover between the up and down Harbour lines at the northern end. It will allow Harbour line trains to be reversed during jumbo blocks and other emergencies, helping maintain services.

Quick view

1000+
Suburban train movements linked to Andheri each day

12-car
Proposed east-side home platform

4.5 lakh
Daily passenger footfall cited by railway sources

20m / 10m
Planned extensions of platforms 6 and 7