Navi Mumbai’s suburban rail connectivity is set to receive a significant boost this month with the planned commissioning of two new stations — Targhar and Gavhan — on the Central Railway’s Belapur-Uran corridor. The development, officials said, will ease daily travel and enhance last-mile access to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the growing Uran region.
The corridor, a joint venture between the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Central Railway in a 67:33 funding ratio, is among the most important suburban transport links in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Proposed in 1997, the Belapur-Uran line was envisioned to support the urban expansion of Navi Mumbai and connect its southern nodes to Mumbai’s core transport grid. However, land acquisition and environmental challenges delayed the project for over two decades. Officials confirmed that civil and signalling works at both Targhar and Gavhan stations have been completed, and final safety inspections are underway. Once commissioned, the line will see the introduction of ten new suburban services, increasing the total number of daily operations from 40 to 50. “The addition of Targhar station, located near the Navi Mumbai International Airport, will provide direct access for airport staff and passengers once operations commence later this year,” an official said. Gavhan, meanwhile, will serve the growing residential communities in Uran, where housing demand has surged due to industrial and port-led economic development.
Urban mobility experts view the expansion as a vital step toward sustainable regional connectivity. By offering commuters a reliable suburban rail alternative, the project is expected to reduce private vehicle dependence and lower carbon emissions in the airport and port hinterland. Improved connectivity to NMIA and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is also likely to spur balanced real estate development across Navi Mumbai’s southern nodes, promoting equitable urban growth beyond the city’s established business districts. Infrastructure planners have stressed the importance of integrating new rail infrastructure with multi-modal transport systems such as metro corridors, electric buses, and cycling networks to ensure inclusive and climate-resilient urban mobility. As the city’s transport ecosystem evolves, the Belapur-Uran corridor stands as an example of how long-delayed public infrastructure can still be adapted to meet the demands of a sustainable and connected urban future.
Navi Mumbai To Open Two New Railway Stations Near Airport And Uran This Month
