CR begins demolition work for long-pending Kalwa-Airoli rail link

Authorities carry out demolition of slums for the rail corridor. PICS/Rajendra B Aklekar

The Central Railway (CR) has finally started the slum demolition for the Kalwa-Airoli rail corridor, which has been stranded for a decade. In the first phase, the authorities have razed about 150 slums.

The project, spanning 8 km, will facilitate a direct connection between Navi Mumbai and Kalyan. The new suburban railway corridor will also facilitate trans-harbour trains bypassing Thane station, taking off major load.

The work is divided into two phases. Phase I included building the Dighe Gaon station, which has been completed. Phase 2 includes work on the corridor.

Elevated line

Of the total stretch, the actual distance of the elevated rail link is just 3.3 km. The elevated link will enable direct trains from Vashi-Belapur to the Kalyan side.

Digha Gaon station is complete and commissioned

The rail flyover has been planned with ballastless track and construction of an elevated Kalwa station, including platforms, booking offices, foot underbridges, and staircases.

Deadly rail stretch

As per data available, Kalwa and Diva are the most accident-prone areas on the CR due to a paucity of adequate public transport. In 2025 alone, 525 lives were lost due to falling from trains, and as many as 1188 commuters were injured in mishaps. The numbers include incidents taking place in Thane, Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva, and Airoli.

Official Speak

Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) officials confirmed the development and said due process is being followed and a verification of 786 project-affected households is underway. "As far as civil works are concerned, Digha Gaon station is complete and commissioned. Other works that have been completed include work on bridges no. 36/4 and 36/5 along with a 45 m span girder for the train bridge for the line," an official said.

Voices

Kavesh Acharya, college student and a resident of Thane East
‘The encroachment removal between Thane and Kalwa was a crucial step for the Kalwa-Airoli elevated rail corridor project. By easing congestion at Thane station, it ensures smoother, faster travel for Navi Mumbai commuters and opens a direct link towards Kalyan. While the move wasn't easy, it was necessary to make way for a transformative infrastructure'

Arindam Mahapatra, advocate
‘With the demolition of the slums, this paves the way for the long-pending Kalwa-Airoli rail corridor, which was stalled due to various political reasons. For a very long time, people were forced to interchange trains at Thane in order to head towards Kalyan and vice versa. This project, if completed, will benefit a lot'

Siddhesh Desai, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh
‘When will the Kalwa-Airoli link finally be completed? Each month of delay poses a risk to human lives. Every accident is not merely a statistic or a piece of data; it represents immense human suffering, devastating trauma for families, social disruption, and economic hardship. We appeal to all political leaders, civic authorities, railway officials, and policymakers - irrespective of party affiliation - to place human life above procedural delays, bureaucratic hurdles, or political considerations'