Virar-Dahanu Rail Corridor Expansion 33% Complete, Targeted for 2026
The much-anticipated Virar-Dahanu Road quadrupling project, designed to separate suburban services from long-distance trains, has now reached an important milestone, with 33% of the work successfully completed. This ambitious infrastructure development is poised to significantly enhance the efficiency and capacity of Mumbai’s suburban railway network, offering a dedicated track for suburban trains that currently share routes with long-distance services beyond Virar.
The project is on track to be completed by the end of 2026, and once finished, it is expected to greatly alleviate congestion for thousands of daily commuters. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), responsible for executing the project, has confirmed that all 31 project sheets have been approved, marking crucial progress. Key approvals for the construction of 2 major bridges, 16 significant bridges, and 67 smaller bridges have been secured. The overall sanctioned cost of the project stands at ₹3578 crore, with work advancing steadily across both infrastructure development and land acquisition. To ensure the timely completion of the project, land acquisition efforts have been successful, with 29.17 hectares of private land and 10.26 hectares of government land already obtained. Construction activity is in full swing, particularly on major and minor bridges.
For instance, work on Important Bridge No. 92 has already seen the completion of 536 piles, 45 pile caps, and 72 spans, while progress continues on Bridge No. 93 with piles and piers under construction. A significant part of the work includes the development of station infrastructure. Contracts for the construction of station buildings, service buildings, and staff quarters have been awarded for key stations such as Virar, Vaitarna, Palghar, Saphale, Kelve Road, and Dahanu Road. The construction of platforms, retaining walls, and other essential station facilities is actively ongoing. Key stations like Virar, Vaitarna, Palghar, Boisar, and Dahanu Road are seeing substantial progress, with new residential quarters, RPF/GRP buildings, and overhead tanks being developed along the corridor.
At stations like Saphale, Kelve Road, and Palghar, the foundations for new infrastructure—including foot overbridge extensions and platform retaining walls—are being laid, while Boisar is witnessing the development of a new goods depot and other necessary infrastructure. The completion of the Virar-Dahanu quadrupling project will go a long way in reducing travel time, improving safety, and providing a more efficient commuting experience for Mumbai’s suburban train passengers. With the steady pace of construction and ongoing developments, the project remains on track for its 2026 completion, promising significant benefits for the city’s vast railway network.
