Mumbai's rail expansion work begins on new lines to separate suburban trains

Work on the 5th and 6th lines on the CR all the way up to Parel and the 6th line of the WR all the way up to Mumbai Central is finally underway. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Two new rail lines to segregate suburban trains, originally planned 18 years ago in 2008, are finally independently proceeding from the eastern and western suburbs into the island city simultaneously. Stranded for decades, work on the 5th and 6th lines on the Central Railway all the way up to Parel and the 6th line of the Western Railway all the way up to Mumbai Central is now finally underway.

While initial works progressed in phases in the northern suburbs on both the lines, the crucial southward extension has remained stalled for years due to severe land constraints, large-scale rehabilitation requirements, and the challenge of working within one of the world's busiest rail corridors. The lines were held back due to multiple complications - land issues, disputes, and alignment changes.

Official Speak

"As of April 2026, land acquisition hurdles at Swadeshi Mill, Kurla, have been cleared, allowing for the demolition of structures and acceleration of construction work. 75 per cent of the project-affected people have been shifted, and the work is progressing smoothly," said Central Railway (CR) Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila. Western Railway (WR) Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said that the works on building the 5th and 6th lines between Borivli and Virar are already underway.

"There is a 5th line from Borivli to Mumbai Central. The 6th line is already commissioned between Bandra Terminus and Borivli, and WR has now expedited works on building the 6th line between Khar and Mumbai Central. The 6th line is planned, and preliminary planning works for its construction have started. The line will help segregate suburban and express trains once completed," added Abhishek.

Kurla-Parel line

The Kurla-Parel 5th and 6th line project, part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-II), is back on track with land acquisition completed in early 2026, targeting completion of the 10-km phase at the earliest. The big hurdles on the stretch now remain realigning bridges, railway structures, and yards. The project also involves major upgrades, including the construction of a new elevated Harbour line station and a new skywalk at Kurla.

Hurdles

>> Land acquisition constraints
>> Large-scale rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R)
>> Narrow right of way (ROW)
>> Utility shifting (water, sewer, power lines)
>> Bridge, ROB, and FOB widening requirements
>> Station remodelling challenges
>> Cost escalation
>> Multi-agency coordination
>> Safety restrictions near running tracks

Voices

Shailesh Goyal, former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee
‘It is a great relief that the long-awaited 5th and 6th line work started towards South Mumbai and is welcomed. It would be convenient for the Mumbai Central source station, and also passengers will get more services. If these lines actually reach south Mumbai, it could finally reduce crowding'

Subhash Gupta, President, Yatri Sangh Mumbai
‘Finally, after many years, there has been some development on this front. The 5th and 6th line project in South Mumbai is finally happening. But they should complete the elevated station work at Kurla, which has turned the station into a mess where lakhs of commuters change trains every day.'