Karjat-Panvel 4th Line to Aid Airport Connectivity
The Central Railway has finalised the construction of a fourth rail line along the Karjat-Panvel corridor to enhance access to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The move is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, especially for commuters from Pune and surrounding areas. Spanning 29 kilometres, the new line will double the current corridor and cost an estimated ₹491 crore, according to the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted to the Railway Board on April 7. A Central Railway spokesperson confirmed the development, stating that the new line aims to reduce congestion and increase suburban train frequency on this high-demand stretch.
At present, the corridor has only one operational line that largely caters to freight trains and a limited number of long-distance passenger services. Two suburban-dedicated lines under construction by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) are scheduled for completion by December 2025. The fourth line, which will be in addition to these, is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3) and will enable seamless travel between Navi Mumbai Airport and Pune—a major hub for education and IT. Authorities see the project as a game changer. It will not only strengthen regional rail infrastructure but also accelerate the development of areas like Panvel, Karjat, and the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).
Three local trains are reportedly ready to commence operations on the Karjat-Panvel corridor once the new infrastructure becomes operational. The project is viewed as a critical step in Mumbai’s evolving urban transport landscape, aligning with broader goals of decentralised urban development and decongestion of the main city corridors.
