Mumbai’s long-awaited regional rail upgrade has taken a major step forward, with railway authorities clearing new infrastructure that could finally make a suburban service between Mumbai and Nashik technically viable. The approval of two additional rail lines between Manmad and Kasara, covering 131 kilometres, is being viewed as a significant breakthrough for a corridor that has struggled for decades with capacity constraints and steep gradients across the Sahyadri range. Officials said the improvement will allow faster, smoother movement and create room for future suburban operations.
The new alignment is designed to address operational difficulties that currently slow down both passenger and freight trains. According to railway engineers, the steep terrain forces several long-distance trains to rely on banker locomotives to navigate the ghat section, resulting in delays and bottlenecks. The new project aims to eliminate this barrier through the construction of 18 tunnels and a more streamlined track profile. An official involved in the planning described the project as “a critical upgrade that will reshape how trains move across north Maharashtra”. With land acquisition now notified and officers deployed across different zones, Central Railway has accelerated groundwork to shift the project into an implementation-ready stage. The expansion is expected to free up substantial capacity on the existing route, which currently acts as one of the busiest suburban gateways into Mumbai during peak hours. Dedicated freight tracks will enable goods trains to bypass high-demand stretches, opening up much-needed slots for passenger operations.
The move is also significant for Nashik, one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing regional centres, where extended suburban connectivity has been a long-standing public demand. Railway planners suggest that once the new infrastructure is in place, running local trains beyond Kasara towards Nashik will no longer face the technical hurdles that exist today. This is expected to improve frequency, reliability and overall comfort for commuters, especially those travelling for work between the two regions. Experts say the corridor upgrade will bring wider economic benefits. By improving connectivity through a more energy-efficient gradient and reducing travel time, the project supports the state’s broader goal of promoting sustainable regional mobility. Reduced fuel consumption and smoother operations could also lower the carbon footprint of long-distance train movement through the ghats. Urban mobility specialists argue that such investments help cities transition towards a more equitable transport system by improving access for smaller towns linked to major metros.
Work on the new lines is expected to intensify next year, with construction progressing in phases. Once completed, the Mumbai–Nashik–Manmad corridor is set to become one of Maharashtra’s most efficient regional rail networks, improving daily travel, strengthening logistics and supporting long-term economic growth across the northern belt.
Mumbai Gets Green Signal For 131 Km Rail Line To Speed Nashik Travel
