The local train, considered the backbone of daily travel for Mumbaikars, is now expanding further. Currently, the total length of the Mumbai suburban railway is approximately 390 kilometers. There are three main routes - Central, Western, and Harbour, and the additional route from Nerul-Belapur to Uran is already operational. More than 6.5 million passengers travel on this entire network daily.
A comforting fact for local passengers is that as many as 14 new projects expanding the suburban railway are currently being implemented rapidly. These plans include new tracks between Mumbai Central and Borivali, the Panvel to Karjat suburban route, additional lines towards Kalyan to Badlapur and Kasara, the extension of the Harbor line to the western suburbs, new tracks between Kurla and CSMT, and the Airoli to Kalwa flyover route.
Due to all these works, the local railway network will expand by more than 400 kilometers. Some projects are expected to be completed in two years, while others will take a period of five years. This will increase the number of local and long-distance trains and make it easier to provide timely service.
Affordable housing is being built in large numbers in areas like Panvel, Badlapur, Karjat, Uran, and Virar. As a result, the number of commuters traveling to and from Mumbai from these areas is increasing day by day. Keeping this need in mind, the railway administration is focusing on new routes.
Several works such as the Panvel–Karjat suburban route, Airoli–Kalwa elevated route, Kalyan–Badlapur and Kalyan–Kasara additional lines, Badlapur–Karjat as well as Asangaon–Kasara route extensions are underway. Thousands of crores of rupees are being invested for this.
Projects include the sixth track from Mumbai Central to Borivali, the extension of the Goregaon to Borivali Harbour route, additional lines from Borivali to Virar and Virar to Dahanu, as well as the double track in the Naigaon area. Some phases of work are expected to be completed by 2028.
New routes will provide separate tracks for local and mail-express trains. This will reduce congestion, save travel time, and make train schedules more efficient. Direct local service from Panvel to Karjat will start, and the Airoli–Kalwa flyover route will also reduce the load on Thane station.
Overall, all these projects will make the Mumbai suburban railway stronger, faster, and more convenient for passengers.
In Brief
The local railway considered the backbone of daily travel for Mumbaikars
Further expansion of the local railway network
The current total length of the Mumbai suburban railway is approximately 390 km