Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla under Central Railway are facing significant delays, with the project now stalled by bureaucratic hurdles and administrative inefficiencies.
Initially launched in 2008, the project remains incomplete 17 years later, raising concerns about Mumbai’s readiness to meet its growing urban transport demands. According to the latest audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the project has been divided into two phases. Phase 1, covering the stretch from Kurla to Parel, is currently under construction, while Phase 2, extending from Parel to CSMT, is yet to commence. The CAG report outlines several factors contributing to the delays, including slow progress in land acquisition, poor inter-departmental coordination, and ineffective project management. One of the key issues highlighted is the incomplete Baseline Socio-Economic (BSE) survey for Phase 1, which remained unfinished even after 11 years of its commencement. Additionally, Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have not been adequately rehabilitated, particularly due to delays by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in constructing residential units at Nahur. This bottleneck has further hampered the acquisition of necessary land for the project.
Furthermore, the report criticises the lack of coordination between the Central and Western Railway zones. In 2015, Central Railway submitted a proposal to Western Railway for land transfer, but as of January 2024, the process remains incomplete, contributing to delays in project execution. These administrative roadblocks have pushed the project’s scheduled completion date from March 2021 to March 2024. Despite the setbacks, a Central Railway official confirmed that construction on Phase 1 is ongoing, although progress is hindered by limited land availability. The revised deadline for completing this phase is now set for December 2025. However, with only 26 per cent of the project physically completed by January 2024, there are concerns about meeting this new timeline. Financially, the project has also seen significant cost overruns. By September 2014, approximately Rs 500.93 crore—over half of the sanctioned estimate of Rs 890.89 crore—had already been spent, yet only 26 per cent of the work was done. The project’s estimated cost has since escalated to Rs 1,337 crore, reflecting both inflationary pressures and inefficiencies in execution.
The audit further criticises the flawed detailed estimates prepared by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), pointing out poor coordination with the state government and non-compliance with standard railway regulations. These issues led to excessive land requirements being assessed during the planning stages, further complicating the project. In addition to administrative and financial hurdles, the report notes instances where electrical and telecommunications equipment were left unused because contracts were issued before ensuring site availability. This not only resulted in resource wastage but also delayed the overall project timeline. Phase 1 of the project, spanning 10.1 kilometres from Kurla to Parel, is critical for easing congestion on Mumbai’s busy rail network. Phase 2, which will cover an additional 7.4 kilometres from Parel to CSMT, is expected to further enhance connectivity and streamline operations by separating suburban rail services from long-distance trains.
Currently, the Central Railway operates six tracks up to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and the new lines are expected to alleviate some of the pressure on this overloaded corridor. The project is not just about expanding capacity; it is a key part of Mumbai’s broader urban transport strategy, aiming to create a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient public transport network. The delays in the CSMT-Kurla rail line project underscore the challenges of managing large-scale urban infrastructure projects in India. They highlight the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, better project planning, and streamlined bureaucratic processes to ensure timely completion and cost-effectiveness.
As Mumbai continues to grow, the urgency for efficient and sustainable urban transport solutions has never been greater. The CSMT-Kurla rail line project, while facing setbacks, remains a critical component of the city’s vision for a modern, connected, and environmentally friendly urban future.
CSMT Kurla Rail Line Delayed by Bureaucracy
