A proposal for the much required east-west rail connectivity is back on the table after the state government asked the Indian Railways to undertake new suburban corridors to connect all three railway lines — western, central and harbour. As part of the third phase of Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-3), five different rail corridors are what the state government wants the railways to develop.

The proposed corridors are Virar-Vasai-Diva-Panvel, Virar-Dahanu-Gholvad, Panvel- Karjat-Khopoli, Thane-Bhivandi and Pen-Alibaug. Together, they are estimated to cost around Rs 14,660 crore, while covering over 150 km of rail lines.

Until recently no specific projects were included in MUTP-3 as both the state and the railways here were unsure of the way ahead. “Now the state has shown interest in these projects and we will undertake the necessary work,” said Prabhat Ranjan, chief public relations officer, Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), a joint venture between the railways and state government.