Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has completed 35% of the Virar-Dahanu railway line expansion project. According to officials, the project is expected to be completed by 2027.
Currently, there are only two tracks between Virar and Dahanu Road, which are being doubled. After the project’s completion, there will be a total of four tracks, which will be utilized for both local and express trains. The new tracks will allow for the addition of over 200 local train services, providing significant relief to passengers.
Project Highlights
The project is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-3 (MUTP-3) and has been allocated a budget of Rs 3,578 crore. Spanning 64 kilometers, the initiative aims to improve connectivity and reduce congestion on the railway network. The new third and fourth railway lines are currently under construction. At present, the Virar-Dahanu Road corridor is burdened by high traffic from local, express, and freight trains, leading to operational challenges. The quadrupling of tracks will help streamline services between Churchgate and Dahanu Road.
Current Status and Progress
According to MRVC, the expanded railway line will increase more than 200 additional local train services, providing significant relief to passengers. Presently, only six to seven direct trains operate daily between Churchgate and Dahanu Road. But once completed, the quadrupling project will enhance the frequency of services, making travel more convenient for thousands of passengers.
Apart from laying new tracks, major infrastructure upgrades are also underway. Station buildings and bridges are being developed at key locations, including Virar, Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Dahanu Road, and Umroli. These upgrades are crucial to the overall success of the project and will enhance the comfort and efficiency of the stations for passengers.
“This project will play a crucial role in reducing congestion on suburban and main railway networks. We are committed to completing it on time.”
— Vilas Sopan Wadekar, Chairman and Managing Director of MRVC