Western Railway has embarked on a significant infrastructure expansion, initiating the land acquisition process for the construction of two additional railway lines between Borivali and Virar.
This ambitious project is poised to alleviate congestion on the existing fast corridor, with the new lines being dedicated exclusively to suburban train services, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the network. The Palghar district administration, under the leadership of the District Collector, is spearheading the acquisition process. A total of 122 properties in the Vasai tehsil area have been identified for this purpose. These properties include a mix of residential, commercial, and agricultural plots, as well as saltpan lands, some of which are already under the ownership of the railways.
The acquisition process has officially commenced, following a public notice issued by Western Railway on August 7. This notice detailed the specific locations involved, including Divanman, Achole, Navghar, Manikpur, and Umela. The expansion plans are particularly focused on Vasai station, where platform modifications are anticipated to accommodate the increased traffic flow resulting from the new lines. Sanctioned at an estimated cost of INR 2,184.02 crore, this project is a crucial component of the Western Railway corridor’s expansion strategy. With approvals in place for key project elements, including estimates, designs, and drawings, the alignment for the new railway lines has been finalised following a comprehensive drone survey.
Additionally, plans for the construction of major and minor bridges required for the project have also received approval, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure will be in place to support the expanded network. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is charged with executing this expansive project, with a targeted completion date of December 2027. In line with this timeline, work on related infrastructure is already progressing. Contracts have been awarded for the construction of essential service buildings and railway quarters, with ongoing projects at various stations along the corridor. These include the relay room at Mira Road, the signal office, the tool room, and the RRI building and Railway Protection Force Barrack at Dahisar.
Additional construction is underway at the station building at Naigaon, as well as the railway quarters at Vasai Road and Bhayander. An MRVC official confirmed that the tender for the relocation of structures, awarded on October 16 of last year, is currently in progress. Moreover, contracts for constructing and modifying Foot Over Bridges and platforms were awarded in early February, marking the commencement of these critical upgrades. Further advancements in the project include the invitation of tenders on June 6th for constructing major and minor bridges, road overbridges (ROBs), and associated earthworks for the proposed embankment. This marks a significant step forward in the realisation of the new Borivali-Virar railway lines, which are expected to dramatically improve suburban train services, reducing congestion and enhancing the overall travel experience for commuters.
