Mumbai: WR fast-tracks Bandra-Khar flyover rebuild, plans new Bandra platform under sixth line project

The existing rail flyover between Khar and Bandra, which is being replaced. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar

Western Railway (WR) has accelerated one of the most critical components of the Mumbai Central-Borivli sixth line project by reducing the planned reconstruction period of the Bandra-Khar rail flyover (elevated Harbour line) from three months to just 45 days and plans to get an additional platform at Bandra suburban railway station, in addition to an additional line at Dadar station as a part of the fifth and sixth line project.

The flyover reconstruction forms a crucial part of the 30.04-km capacity upgradation project under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-II), executed with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). The additional line is expected to significantly increase suburban rail capacity, improve punctuality, and allow smoother movement of suburban and long-distance trains on the heavily congested WR.

While the Khar Road-Borivli section of the sixth line has already been commissioned, work is now focused on the far more complex Mumbai Central-Khar Road stretch, where dense urban development, utility shifting and infrastructure constraints make construction challenging.

New bridge, new platform

Among the biggest hurdles are reconstruction of the Bandra-Khar rail flyover while keeping suburban train disruption to a minimum, rehabilitation of project-affected persons at Bandra East, construction of platforms 7 and 8 at Bandra, relocation of utilities, modification of foot overbridges, shifting of railway quarters and service buildings at Mahim, Lower Parel, and Mumbai Central, and completion of Line No. 8 works at Dadar. WR said it will use modern construction techniques, including precast segmental construction wherever possible, to speed up execution and reduce inconvenience to commuters.

Work is carried out on the sixth line between Mumbai Central and Borivli. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Once completed, the sixth line will increase carrying capacity on the WR suburban network, improve punctuality, provide greater operational flexibility and create additional paths for both suburban and long-distance trains, helping meet Mumbai's growing transport demand.

Mumbai Central-Borivli sixth line metrics

>> Land acquisition is almost complete, with only about 88.6 sq m of government land at Shakti Mill in Lower Parel awaiting final statutory approvals
>> All five engineering sanction proposals have been approved
>> Four of the five electrical buildings are complete
>> Fourteen of the 29 identified utilities have already been shifted
>> Signalling and telecom works are underway, with three of the five packages under execution
>> Electrical foundation and overhead equipment works have been awarded

Next phase

>> The upcoming works include construction of 15 bridges, about 13.3 km of earthwork, new island platforms, foot overbridges, station buildings, track linking and electrical works required for commissioning the additional line
>> Major tenders for these packages will begin rolling out from August 2026 and continue through 2027