Virar Dahanu rail work crosses 41 percent complete.
Mumbai’s critical suburban rail expansion between Virar and Dahanu Road has crossed the 41 percent physical progress milestone, marking steady headway towards its completion target in FY 2026–27 under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-3. The ₹3,578 crore initiative being executed by Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd. (MRVC) aims to transform daily commuting along the Western suburban corridor, one of the city’s most congested lifelines.
Upon completion, the quadrupling of tracks will increase rail capacity twofold on this 63-kilometre stretch, ensuring faster, safer, and more reliable travel for lakhs of daily passengers. Officials confirmed that all technical drawings, including 31 General Arrangement Drawings for bridges and nine Engineering Scale Plans, have received full clearance. Land acquisition, a major hurdle in large-scale infrastructure projects, has been successfully concluded — covering 43.2 hectares across private, government, and forest categories. Critical environmental permissions, including forest clearance and mangrove-cutting approval, have also been secured, enabling unhindered construction progress.
Civil and structural activities have gained significant traction. Nearly 85 percent of the total earthwork is already complete, totalling over 5.32 lakh cubic metres. Notable progress is visible at major sites like Bridge No. 92, where 576 piles and 87 deck slabs are in place, and work is actively ongoing at Bridge No. 93. The embankment stretch is advancing rapidly, particularly across a 13-kilometre zone, and the Road Over Bridge at LC 55A has completed foundational work. The project also includes extensive station upgrades and construction of residential quarters along the corridor to modernise rail infrastructure. Station buildings, RRI systems, booking offices, and GRP facilities are being constructed or upgraded at Virar, Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Palghar, Umroli, Boisar, Vangaon, and Dahanu Road. Some stations, like Boisar and Vangaon, are nearing 95 percent structural completion. These upgrades not only improve operational readiness but also promise enhanced amenities for commuters and railway staff alike.
Experts within MRVC attribute the smooth progress to meticulous pre-execution planning and early resolution of clearance bottlenecks. With underground signal cable removals now underway, and contractor teams mobilised across cleared stretches, the project momentum is expected to accelerate further. Planners see this project as a cornerstone of sustainable transport development in Mumbai’s extended metropolitan region. By encouraging mass transit and reducing vehicular dependence on the western periphery, the quadrupling initiative directly supports the city’s long-term environmental goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting inclusive mobility.
While MRVC remains optimistic about delivering the project within the stipulated timeframe, officials remain cautious about external risks such as unforeseen legal or environmental obstacles. Nonetheless, the consistent progress offers a promising glimpse into how well-coordinated, multi-agency transport infrastructure can shape a more resilient and equitable urban future. As the extended Mumbai rail network evolves, projects like this are not just technical upgrades—they are blueprints for how cities can grow greener, more connected, and inclusive for all.
