This is expected to be complete by 2027, leading to an increase in local train services and reduced rush-hour crowds. The second project of note is the completion of a dedicated freight corridor till New Kharbao near Bhiwandi, which will take off all goods trains from passenger lines
Platform 3A is being widened, and a new platform 5A is being built
Two key developments have expedited the improvement of suburban local trains on Western Railway from this week. The first being ‘Project Virar’ that began with a workforce of 200 where the station is being upgraded to merge with a new Virar-Dahanu rail corridor that segregates suburban and outstation trains and the second is the completion of dedicated freight corridor till New Kharbao near Bhiwandi, which will take off all goods trains from passenger lines.
Under 'Project Virar', the station is getting changes done to existing and building new platforms. The new 3rd and 4th line corridor between Virar and Dahanu is expected to complete by 2027, not only leading to an increase of local trains but also cutting down crowds.
A few weeks earlier, the new dedicated freight corridor work has also crossed Virar reached Bhiwandi, which means goods trains can now bypass Virar, taking off yet another load on existing tracks, paving the way towards faster adoption of “only-local trains” traffic.
Elaborating on the Virar platform works, WR chief public relations Vineet Abhishek said Western Railway is undertaking important platform-related works in connection with the 3rd and 4th line project between the Virar – Dahanu Road section. As part of these works, widening of Platform No. 3A and the construction of a new Home Platform 5A at Virar station are being carried out.
He said these works will enhance station capacity and support smoother operations for the increasing rail traffic in the future. Due to these works, local services of Western Railway are being modified with immediate effect till further notice train No. 92083 Dadar – Virar Local departing Dadar at 10:55 am will short terminate at Vasai Road station and train No. 92100 Virar – Dadar Local departing Virar at 12:10 pm will originate from Vasai Road at 12:20 pm. Additionally, no train services will be handled at Platform No. 3A of Virar station until further notice. The works on these platforms will enable seamless integration with the new lines that are under works.
On the goods train front, the DFCCIL successfully conducted a trial run of a goods train hauled by a diesel locomotive from New Saphale (DFCCIL) on October 29. This will take off the burden from Virar-Vasai belt and make New Kharbao near Bhiwandi the integration point for freight trains, taking them off the WR main lines, creating more paths.
At present, there are just two lines for up and down trains between Virar-Dahanu, four lines between Borivali-Virar and six lines between Malad and Khar.
The Virar-Dahanu quadrupling project, under Mumbai Urban Transport Project at a cost of Rs 3,578 crore is at advanced stage with all land acquired and work on station buildings at Virar, Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Dahanu Road and Umroli stations and simultaneously work on bridges is also currently on.
WHAT EXACTLY IS HAPPENING
As part of the infrastructure upgrades under the Virar–Dahanu Road quadrupling project, significant redevelopment and track remodelling works are underway at Virar Station.
Platform 3A – Widening and Upgrade
• Platform 3A, currently serving as the terminating platform for Dahanu Road–Virar suburban services, is undergoing a major widening exercise.
• Track removal (uprooting) has been completed to facilitate this.
• Post-widening, Platform 3A will have a width of 10 meters, and a double-discharge face will be created on the west side.
• The same track line will be extended and connected to the existing Platform 3 (currently the Churchgate–Virar terminus), enabling through movement from Churchgate to Dahanu.
• This alignment will serve the proposed Churchgate–Dahanu Slow Line, enhancing operational flexibility and future train path creation.
Platform 2 – Status Quo Maintained
• Platform 2 will continue to function as a terminal platform for trains arriving from Churchgate side, without change to its configuration.
New Platforms – South of Existing PF1
• Two additional platforms are being constructed south of the existing Platform 1 and one additional platform will be located on the east side of the mainline, directly opposite the existing Platform 1.
• These platforms will support increased suburban train handling capacity and future reconfiguration of terminating and through services.
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