It has been nearly 8 years now since work on the two additional lines — the 5th and 6th — has been underway between Thane and Diva. The delay has resulted in cost escalation for this project from R133 crore to R290 crore now. The reason behind the delays of this World Bank funded project has been clarified by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) — the entity blames the infringement of 175 plus trees, apart from rehabilitation of people staying in buildings and other issues near Diva.

A review meeting was held by MRVC a couple of days back. Sources said that the World Bank has pulled up the MRVC authorities for the delay in this project; it also expressed its displeasure on the slow pace in which the new Integral Coach Factory (ICF) rakes are coming in, at the meeting that took place on August 10.