Between 2.15 am and 3.45 am early Saturday, MRVC launched four girders for new project that will shorten travel time, reduce congestion across Central lines
Four girders installed for MIDC road overbridge
In a significant stride toward expanding Mumbai’s overburdened suburban rail network, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has completed crucial infrastructure works on the Kalyan-Badlapur section during a night block earlier this week.
Between 2.15 am and 3.45 am on Friday-Saturday night, MRVC teams executed a series of complex operations — launching four girders for the MIDC road overbridge (ROB), five girders for the Ambernath (Kalyan-end) foot overbridge (FOB), and dismantling ageing structures, including the Badlapur FOB and Ambernath (Karjat-end) FOB spans. These high-precision tasks, completed within tight time frames, mark a crucial step in preparing the corridor for future capacity expansion.
Ambernath (Kalyan-end) FOB dismantled
With bridge and FOB works completed, MRVC can proceed with track quadrupling and corridor segregation, which would allow the introduction of new suburban services, improved punctuality, and a significant increase in carrying capacity on the Central Railway.
The Kalyan-Badlapur section sees over 12 lakh commuters daily, many of whom face delays and overcrowding during peak hours. By enabling infrastructure upgrades and corridor segregation, the project promises to shorten travel time and reduce congestion across the Central line. Transport analysts note that the corridor expansion will act as a pressure valve for the suburban network, especially as the region’s population continues to expand eastward into Thane and beyond.
Five girders installed at Ambernath (Kalyan end)
“This is a foundational step toward adding a new suburban corridor that will eventually help separate local and long-distance traffic,” an MRVC official said. “It’s part of our long-term plan to make Mumbai’s rail operations faster, safer, and more reliable.” The project is a part of the third and fourth lines between Kalyan and Badlapur.
“The third and fourth lines between Kalyan and Badlapur stations are a 14-km-long suburban railway project that will separate long-distance and suburban trains. The project is being undertaken by the MRVC at a cost of Rs 1510 crore as part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project [MUTP] 3A. The project also includes the construction of a new station in Chikhloli, which will be located 4.34 kilometres from Ambernath and 3.1 km from Badlapur,” an official said.
Foundation for next suburban corridor
Officials said the completed works are not just maintenance upgrades but part of a larger vision to create a dedicated suburban corridor under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). The project aims to decongest the main line between CSMT and Karjat, one of the busiest stretches in the city’s rail network.
Badlapur FOB dismantled. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Relief for daily commuters
“The Kalyan-Badlapur stretch is a crucial link for the growing suburban sprawl,” said a transport planner. “Once additional tracks are laid, we’ll see smoother movement of trains, fewer cancellations, and improved commuter comfort,” he added.
Building without disruption
“One of the most notable aspects of the operation was its timing — executed during the early-morning night block window to avoid disruptions to regular services. MRVC officials emphasised that the careful scheduling of heavy-lift operations reflects a maturing project execution model designed to minimise commuter inconvenience while accelerating progress on key infrastructure,” MRVC chief public relations officer Sunil Udasi told mid-day.
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