In a significant move to modernise Mumbai’s railway network, Central Railway (CR) is advancing plans to introduce a new terminus at Parel. This strategic initiative aims to alleviate the substantial burden on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), one of the city’s most congested rail hubs.
CSMT currently handles both suburban and long-distance trains, leading to frequent operational bottlenecks. The introduction of a new terminus at Parel is part of a broader infrastructure upgrade by Central Railway to streamline Mumbai’s suburban train services while improving the management of long-distance train operations. By diverting some of the long-distance traffic away from CSMT to Parel, CR anticipates a reduction in congestion, which will, in turn, enhance the efficiency of suburban rail services.
This move is particularly crucial given Mumbai’s ever-growing demand for reliable and punctual train services. This initiative to establish a terminus at Parel is not entirely new. A similar proposal surfaced in 2016 but faced significant resistance from the Central Railway workers’ union, leading to its eventual abandonment. However, CR officials are now optimistic that with a revised and more comprehensive proposal, the Railway Board will grant the necessary approvals to move forward with this critical project.
In addition to the proposed terminus at Parel, CR has announced plans to expand the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) by adding four new platforms. Currently, LTT is one of Mumbai’s busiest rail stations, accommodating approximately 70,000 passengers daily across its seven existing platforms. The expansion is expected to significantly boost the station’s capacity, particularly during peak travel seasons such as summer, when passenger numbers typically surge.
The LTT expansion will also allow the station to handle more long-distance trains, thereby reducing congestion at other major stations in the city. This move aligns with CR’s broader objective of improving operational efficiency and meeting the growing demand for rail services in Mumbai. Further, CR is accelerating the ongoing remodelling of the Kalyan yard, which is poised to further enhance the station’s capacity to manage additional trains and improve overall operations. Additionally, the extension of two platforms at CSMT to accommodate 24-coach trains is expected to be completed by November, offering even more capacity to manage the increasing number of long-distance trains operating in and out of the city.
