Cabinet approves Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase III

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 8,679 crore with completion cost of Rs 10,947 crore. The project is expected to be completed in the next five years during 13th Plan period.

Western Railway is running suburban services on the existing busy double line between Virar-Dahanu Road which is a part of main line Mumbai ???Ahmedabad / Delhi route. The main line is already over saturated and there is no scope for supplementing suburban services on this line. Construction of additional double line between Virar-Dahanu Road would address the demand of commuters in this region. This would provide an extension of suburban services from Churchgate to Dahanu Road. Panvel-Karjat double line suburban corridor would cater to the significant urbanisation and population growth in recent years in this area. This would also provide an alternate route from Karjat to CSTM via Panvel which would be shorter by 23 km than the existing route via Kalyan and would reduce travel time between CSTM to Karjat by 35 to 40 minutes by slow trains.

At present, passengers commuting from Kalyan to Vashi/ Panvel or in reverse direction, have to get down at Thane and take Trans-Harbour link. This results in congestion at Thane which is already a busy station on Central Railway. Airoli-Kalwa corridor would reduce congestion at Thane station and would also save time as these passengers can travel bypassing Thane. Procurement of new coaches would enhance the quality of service and reduce congestion. The works proposed under trespass control at 22 locations shall significantly reduce trespass and would provide a safer environment for the public.

The areas covered by this project are Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Mumbai districts of Maharashtra.

Source : Urbannewsdigest