25 December,2025 08:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Once completed, the upgrades are likely to support Mumbai’s growing commuter demand and provide long-term relief to one of the world’s busiest suburban rail networks. Representational pic
Mumbai's suburban rail network is set to undergo a major transformation, with railway infrastructure projects worth Rs 18,364.94 crore currently under execution or in planning stages across the Central and Western Railway zones. The projects, spanning a total length of 400.53 kilometres, aim to enhance capacity, ease congestion, improve punctuality, and strengthen suburban connectivity amid steadily rising commuter demand.
Mumbai's suburban rail system currently operates across multiple corridors, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Karjat-Khopoli and Kasara on the Main Line, CSMT-Panvel and Bandra on the Harbour Line, Thane-Panvel on the Trans-Harbour Line, Nerul-Belapur-Uran on the Port Line under Central Railway, and Churchgate-Dahanu and Goregaon-CSMT under Western Railway. Recently, 10 additional services were introduced on the Nerul-Belapur-Uran line, while two new stations - Targhar and Gavan - were commissioned for the benefit of commuters.
With demand for suburban services continuing to grow across Mumbai and its suburbs, Indian Railways has planned a series of new lines, extensions and capacity augmentation works under different phases of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). These projects are at various stages of execution and involve both Central and Western Railway networks.
CSMT-Kurla 5th and 6th line project
The CSMT-Kurla 5th and 6th line project under MUTP-II spans 17.5 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 891 crore and is being executed in two phases. Phase I, covering the Parel-Kurla stretch of 10.1 km, is targeted for completion by December 2025, while Phase II from Parel to CSMT is also under progress. The project is expected to enhance track capacity for suburban and long-distance services, reduce congestion and delays on existing lines, and improve overall punctuality.
Panvel-Karjat suburban corridor
The Panvel-Karjat suburban corridor project under MUTP-III covers 29.6 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 2,782 crore and is being executed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). Earthwork, tunnelling and bridge construction are currently underway, with completion targeted by December 2025.
The corridor will introduce new suburban connectivity between Panvel and Karjat, reduce travel time, provide an alternate route to Karjat and improve train frequency in the region.
Kalyan-Asangaon 4th line project
The Kalyan-Asangaon 4th line project under MUTP-III-A spans 32 track kilometres at a cost of Rs 1,759 crore. Land acquisition for the project is currently in progress, with completion targeted by December 2026. The project is expected to increase corridor capacity, reduce overcrowding on suburban trains, improve operational efficiency on this high-density route and support future growth in both passenger and freight services.
Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th line project
The Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th line project under MUTP-III-A covers 14.05 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 1,510 crore and is being executed by MRVC. Utility shifting, earthwork and bridge construction are currently in progress, with completion targeted by December 2025. The project will provide additional track capacity for suburban services, reduce overcrowding and improve the reliability and punctuality of the suburban network.
Kalyan-Kasara 3rd line project
The Kalyan-Kasara 3rd line project spans 67 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 792 crore and is being executed in two phases - Asangaon to Kasara and Kalyan to Asangaon. Both phases are targeted for completion by December 2025. The project will allow greater operational flexibility, particularly during peak hours, reduce disruptions and delays, and improve connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Mumbai's northern suburbs.
Airoli-Kalva elevated suburban corridor link
The Airoli-Kalva elevated suburban corridor link project under MUTP-III spans 3.3 track kilometres at a cost of Rs 476 crore and is being executed by MRVC in two phases. Digha Gaon station has been commissioned under Phase I. Phase II will be taken up 30 months after completion of land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement. The project has provided an alternative route for suburban trains, enhanced connectivity between Thane and Navi Mumbai, reduced congestion on existing routes and improved travel time and accessibility for passengers.
Nilaje-Kopar double chord line project
The Nilaje-Kopar double chord line project by Central Railway spans 5 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 338 crore and is currently under execution. The project is aimed at increasing capacity for both passenger and freight trains, reducing congestion and improving frequency, reliability and punctuality on the corridor.
Badlapur-Karjat 3rd and 4th line project
The Badlapur-Karjat 3rd and 4th line project covers a total route length of 64 kilometres and includes eight major bridges, 106 minor bridges, one road under bridge and six stations along the route. The project, costing Rs 1,324 crore, is being funded on a 50:50 basis by the Railways and the Maharashtra government. It is a crucial link for the Mumbai suburban network and will ease traffic on the Kalyan-Karjat route, benefit daily suburban commuters as well as passengers travelling between Mumbai and Pune, enable the introduction of additional passenger and freight services and address capacity constraints amid industrial expansion. The project is expected to generate additional freight traffic of 7.2 million tonnes per annum, save 41 lakh litres of diesel annually, result in logistics cost savings of Rs 46.2 crore every year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 crore kg annually, equivalent to planting around eight lakh trees.
Asangaon-Kasara 4th line project
The Asangaon-Kasara 4th line project spans 35 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 737.85 crore and is currently under process. The project will benefit daily commuters on the Mumbai suburban network, improve operational flexibility, reduce the chances of disruptions and delays and enhance connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Mumbai's northern suburbs.
Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line project
The Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line project under MUTP-II covers 30 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 919 crore and is being executed in two phases. Phase I, covering the Khar-Kandivali section, has already been commissioned. Phase II work is currently underway on the Kandivali-Borivali stretch of 3.21 km, with completion targeted by January 2026. The project will enhance line capacity on the Mumbai suburban section, ease congestion on busy suburban and mainline tracks, improve punctuality, provide dedicated lines for trains operating to and from Bandra Terminus and allow segregation of mainline and suburban services, benefiting commuters on the Andheri-Borivali-Virar section.
Extension of Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivali
The extension of the Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivali under MUTP-III-A covers 7.08 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 898 crore. Land acquisition for the project is currently in progress. The Goregaon-Malad section is targeted for completion by March 2028, while the Malad-Borivali section is expected to be completed by December 2028. The project will provide direct connectivity between Borivali and CSMT, add line capacity on the Goregaon-Borivali section, reduce crowding at Goregaon and Borivali stations and eliminate the need for passengers to change trains at Goregaon while travelling to CSMT.
Borivali-Virar 5th and 6th line project
The Borivali-Virar 5th and 6th line project under MUTP-III-A spans 26 track kilometres at a cost of Rs 2,184.09 crore. The alignment has been finalised, and utility shifting along with bridge and platform works are currently in progress. The project, being executed by MRVC, is targeted for completion by March 2028 and will increase line capacity, allow the operation of additional suburban trains, ease travel conditions for commuters between Virar and Borivali and enable segregation of mainline and suburban services.
Virar-Dahanu 3rd and 4th line project
The Virar-Dahanu 3rd and 4th line project under MUTP-III spans 64 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 3,578 crore and is being executed by MRVC. The project has achieved 43 per cent physical progress, with 50 bridges and road under bridges completed so far. Completion is targeted by December 2026. The project will add line capacity on the Virar-Dahanu section, facilitate additional suburban services, ease travel for commuters between Vaitarna and Dahanu Road and benefit daily commuters in Palghar district travelling beyond Virar.
Naigaon-Juichandra double chord line project
The Naigaon-Juichandra double chord line project by Western Railway covers 6 track kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 176 crore and is currently under execution, with completion targeted by March 2028. The project will provide direct connectivity for Konkan Railway and services towards Panvel and beyond from Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus without the need for locomotive reversal at Vasai Road. It is expected to benefit passengers from the western suburbs travelling towards Konkan, Goa and further destinations and facilitate the introduction of new train services.
