The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the addition of third and fourth lines between Badlapur and Karjat under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3B (MUTP-3B), marking a significant step in upgrading one of India’s busiest suburban corridors. The project, endorsed by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and supported by the Government of Maharashtra, aims to enhance suburban rail segregation while boosting capacity along the Mumbai–Chennai high-density route.
Spanning 32.46 kilometres alongside the existing alignment, the project will connect six key suburban stations: Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri Road and Karjat. Approximately 37.79 hectares of private land will be acquired, in addition to government and railway land, to facilitate construction. The total investment is projected at Rs 1,324 crore, with costs equally shared between the state government and the Ministry of Railways. Execution and delivery of works have been entrusted to the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). An MRVC official highlighted that the project is expected to address long-standing capacity constraints and operational bottlenecks. “The additional lines will allow complete segregation of mainline and suburban traffic in the Kalyan–Karjat section,” the official said. This separation is designed to improve punctuality, reduce congestion at stations, and allow smoother scheduling for both suburban and long-distance trains. The project will also strengthen passenger safety through enhanced boundary protection measures and station mobility enhancements.
Industry experts note that the upgrade is timely, given rising commuter demand across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and increasing freight requirements linked to new ports and logistics hubs. By supporting higher passenger and cargo throughput, the quadrupling initiative aligns with broader objectives of sustainable urban mobility, including reduced travel time, lower energy consumption, and decreased operational carbon emissions. MRVC CMD emphasized the project’s broader socio-economic impact, noting that the enhanced capacity will facilitate efficient movement across the MMR and ease daily commutes. The project is expected to be completed within three to four years following land acquisition, integrating modern design standards and digital monitoring systems to optimise operational efficiency.
The Badlapur–Karjat quadrupling forms part of Mumbai’s long-term suburban rail vision, contributing to equitable and inclusive transport infrastructure while supporting the region’s economic growth. Its implementation will play a crucial role in establishing a more resilient, low-carbon urban rail network that can accommodate future population and industrial expansion.
Mumbai Railways Launches Badlapur – Karjat 3rd And 4th Line Expansion Project
