Mumbais Airoli Kalwa Rail Project Faces Land Rehabilitation Hurdles
Mumbai’s ambitious Airoli–Kalwa elevated suburban rail corridor, designed to significantly decongest Thane railway station, is facing persistent hurdles related to land acquisition and the rehabilitation of project-affected families. Despite reaching 45% physical progress, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) acknowledges that the completion of this long-pending infrastructure project hinges on resolving these critical issues. This vital corridor aims to provide faster and more direct rail access, connecting Airoli with key commuter hubs like Mumbra, Diva, Dombivli, and Kalyan, promising enhanced connectivity across the metropolitan region.
The project, which commenced almost eight years ago, is being implemented in two phases. Phase-I, notably, was completed and commissioned on January 12, 2024, without encountering land acquisition or rehabilitation issues. This initial segment included the construction of the new Digha Gaon halt station, along with key infrastructure like Bridges 36/4 and 36/5, and girder launching for the Mukund Road Under Bridge. An MRVC official highlighted that this phase was crucial for laying the groundwork and demonstrating the project’s feasibility, free from land-related complications. Overall, the corporation confirms that over 95% of the total required land is already in its possession, signaling substantial progress in this aspect despite the remaining challenges.
However, Phase-II, which encompasses the elevated stretch between Airoli and Kalwa, is experiencing significant delays primarily due to unresolved land acquisition and rehabilitation efforts. The major obstacle lies in securing the remaining 0.53 hectares of private land out of a total requirement of 2.40 hectares, as well as the resettlement of 786 project-affected households situated in Bhola Nagar and Shivaji Nagar. While 1.87 hectares of government-owned land have been successfully acquired, the private land acquisition and rehabilitation efforts are stalled due to resistance from local residents. The MRVC, in coordination with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is conducting regular meetings to address these resettlement roadblocks, although a definitive resolution has yet to emerge. According to officials, the entire corridor is slated for completion within 36 months once the resettlement and rehabilitation process is finalized, underscoring the critical importance of overcoming these remaining hurdles for the project’s timely delivery.
The Airoli–Kalwa elevated corridor, a crucial part of Mumbai’s urban transport future, remains challenged by rehabilitation delays despite substantial physical progress. Expediting land acquisition and ensuring equitable resettlement are vital for its completion, which promises significant congestion relief for Thane station and improved regional connectivity. This project reflects ongoing efforts to enhance Mumbai’s suburban rail network.
