Mumbai : In a major expansion plan for Mumbai’s suburban railway network, Central Railway (CR) has initiated a field survey for the proposed 7th and 8th rail lines between Parel and Kalyan. These lines are part of a larger strategy to decongest the existing network by segregating suburban operations from national rail traffic and preparing for the future Parel Mega Terminal.
Survey Underway for 46-Km Corridor
According to officials, CR’s construction wing began the survey on July 17, 2024, covering a 46-kilometer stretch between Parel and Kalyan. The project is expected to be completed by October 2025.
A CR spokesperson confirmed, *”These new lines are part of long-term planning. They will provide a dedicated route for long-distance trains between Kalyan and the upcoming Parel Mega Terminal, ensuring suburban services remain unaffected. All four national lines will operate independently.”
Ongoing Expansion Work
Beyond Kalyan, work is already underway to extend the 3rd and 4th lines, while additional tracks are being laid in the ghat section to enhance capacity.
Meanwhile, CR is racing to complete the 5th and 6th lines between Kurla and CSMT—a 34-km stretch split into two segments: Kurla-Parel (10.1 km) and Parel-CSMT. A spokesperson stated, “Work is progressing wherever land is available. The Sion Road overbridge is being rebuilt, and Kurla’s Harbour Line platform will be elevated to integrate with the new tracks.”
Land Acquisition Challenges
Land acquisition remains a hurdle, with negotiations ongoing for plots owned by private entities, the Swadeshi Mill, and BMC. The project, initially proposed under MUTP-2B in 2009-10, was approved in 2014 at a cost of ₹891 crore but has faced delays.
Expert Opinions
Jagdeep Desai, an architect and urban mobility advocate, welcomed the future-focused plan but urged faster execution of pending projects. “Given land constraints, future alignments should be elevated or underground. Can schedules be updated to reflect current needs?” He also suggested revamping train timetables for efficiency, proposing hub-and-spoke models and faster crossovers (up to 50 kmph) to reduce delays.
The 7th and 8th lines signify CR’s long-term vision, but experts stress the need for modernization and timely execution to ease Mumbai’s rail congestion.
