Kurla-CSMT Rail Line Expansion Faces Hurdles Over Land Acquisition and Bridge Demolition
The Central Railway (CR) between Kurla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai is encountering several roadblocks. Among the most pressing challenges are delays in land acquisition and the demolition of critical infrastructure, including the Sion and Dharavi bridges. These delays have stalled progress, leaving the project behind schedule.
The project, which aims to improve the efficiency of Mumbai’s railway system, is facing issues related to the acquisition of 14,626 square meters of land. This land is spread across government-owned, privately owned, and mill land plots, which are required for laying the new tracks. While 5,909 square meters belong to the government, the remaining 8,716 square meters are privately owned, adding complexity to the land acquisition process. Railway authorities are working with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to resolve the situation and ensure that the necessary land is secured for the project to move forward. One of the major hurdles that have slowed the expansion is the demolition of the Sion bridge. Six months after the bridge was shut down in August, there are still several obstacles preventing the demolition of this critical structure. These include four trees and a toilet block, which have blocked the required work. Railway officials have written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urging them to clear these hindrances so that the demolition can proceed as planned.
Once the Sion bridge demolition is completed, attention will turn to the Dharavi bridge, which will also be demolished to make way for a wider structure that can accommodate the fifth and sixth lines. However, officials have clarified that this demolition will only take place once the reconstruction of the Sion connector is complete, which is expected to take several more years. The rail expansion project is crucial for segregating suburban and outstation trains along the CR corridor, which runs from Kalyan to CSMT. The first phase of the project extends the rail line to Parel, with the second phase reaching CSMT. Once completed, this expansion will significantly ease congestion on the existing lines and improve train operations. However, the project faces numerous challenges, including the relocation of 37 railway structures and the shifting of signalling and electrical systems along the route.
In addition to land acquisition and bridge demolition issues, the project also affects 714 individuals who live on the land that is yet to be acquired. The MMRDA is actively addressing the needs of these project-affected people to ensure that they are properly rehabilitated. The expansion will also involve elevating the harbour line platforms at Kurla, which will be shifted to an elevated level, while the existing harbour line tracks will be converted into the fifth and sixth lines to maintain operational continuity. This transformation is crucial to keep up with the rising demand for more trains and better services on the Central Railway network. While these delays are frustrating, the long-term benefits of the rail expansion project will have a positive impact on Mumbai’s transport system, improving connectivity and reducing congestion for millions of commuters. As railway authorities continue to work through these challenges, the completion of the Kurla to CSMT rail line expansion remains a vital infrastructure development for the city.
