New Alternative for Mumbai’s Suburban Network; Travel Time to Reduce
Mumbai: The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is rapidly progressing with the construction of the new Panvel–Karjat suburban railway corridor, with 76% of the project work already completed. Of the total 70 km track length, 21 km of rail installation has been completed between Usarli–Chikhale–Mohape–Chouk, while ballast formation (laying of track bed gravel) is finished for 30 km. The corridor is now expected to take shape soon.
The 29.6 km corridor will provide a new route within Mumbai’s suburban network, significantly reducing travel time between Panvel and Karjat, while also easing congestion on the Kalyan route. The project is crucial to meeting the growing passenger demand. As the route passes through hilly terrain, three tunnels — at Wavrale, Nadhale, and Kirwali — have been constructed, with excavation now complete. Out of 65 bridges planned, 59 (including 29 minor and 6 major) are complete. A key milestone was recently achieved with the girder launch for the Pune Expressway underpass. Stations are Panvel, Chikhale, Mohape, Chouk and Karjat.
Largest Tunnel, Major Bridges
This project, being executed under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-3 (MUTP-3) at a cost of Rs 2,782 crore, connects two existing stations and includes the largest tunnel and bridge in Mumbai’s suburban network. Currently, the old line is primarily used by freight and long-distance passenger trains. With the new double line, local suburban trains will be able to operate between Mumbai and Karjat via Panvel.
 is rapidly progressing with the construction of the new Panvel–Karjat suburban railway corridor, with 76% of the project work already completed. Of the total 70 km track length, 21 km of rail installation has been completed between Usarli–Chikhale–Mohape–Chouk, while ballast formation (laying of track bed gravel) is finished for 30 km. The corridor is now expected to take shape soon.){kind=link}