Mumbai’s ambitious 5th and 6th railway line project has taken a decisive step forward with the construction of a new elevated Harbour Line station at Kurla. Over the weekend, Central Railway undertook a 14.5-hour mega block between Kurla and Tilak Nagar to shift tracks, clearing the way for the elevated structure that is expected to transform suburban connectivity.
Railway officials confirmed that Harbour Line tracks were shifted westwards, creating the space needed for the upcoming elevated platforms. This diversion will allow uninterrupted operations until the corridor is extended up to Parel. According to planners, the new elevated design will enable Harbour Line services to bypass some of the chronic ground-level constraints that have long slowed operations in the Kurla section. The elevated corridor will begin just after Chunabhatti and rejoin the main alignment near Tilak Nagar, skirting the Santacruz–Chembur Link Road crossover. Engineers highlighted that the diversion tracks have been laid over reclaimed marshy land, specially reinforced to bear heavy loads and ensure stability during monsoon downpours.
At the heart of this upgrade lies the proposed elevated Kurla station, which will feature three modern platforms. One platform is being equipped with a train reversal facility at the Panvel end, allowing shuttle services between Kurla and Panvel in both directions. Officials explained that the station layout will segregate CSMT-bound services, Navi Mumbai-bound trains, and terminating services at Kurla, streamlining traffic flow and improving operational efficiency. Railway experts argue that the elevated model represents a step toward climate-resilient infrastructure. By moving Harbour Line operations off the ground, the project addresses a persistent challenge for Mumbai’s railways—seasonal waterlogging. Every year, Harbour Line commuters face disruption during monsoon spells, with ground-level tracks prone to flooding. The elevated station is designed to mitigate these risks and ensure greater punctuality.
The 5th and 6th line corridor is critical not only for passenger convenience but also for decongesting freight and long-distance operations on Central Railway’s busiest sections. Transport planners believe the completion of this project will improve suburban reliability while freeing up capacity for intercity trains. It is also being viewed as a sustainability measure, encouraging more commuters to shift to public transport instead of private vehicles. For Kurla, already one of the most important junctions in Mumbai’s suburban network, the elevated station could bring relief from chronic congestion and lay the foundation for better integration with metro and road networks. While construction will continue to cause temporary disruptions, the long-term gains are expected to outweigh the inconvenience.
As Mumbai faces increasing climate stress and population growth, such transport upgrades offer a glimpse of the resilient, carbon-conscious mobility future the city must embrace.
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