With the completion of a fourth rail line between Karjat and Panvel, Central Railway has significantly improved connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

According to Mid-day, this new route is anticipated to significantly increase the distance between Pune and the Navi Mumbai International Airport.

What’s the strategy?

The 29-kilometer Panvel–Karjat (Chowk) fourth line’s final Detailed Project Report (DPR) was sent to the Railway Board on April 7th, according to a Central Railway representative. An estimated Rs 491 crore would be spent on the project.

In addition to improving suburban rail services in the region, this new line will help ease traffic, particularly on the crowded route between Karjat and Panvel.

Why Is This Project Unique?

The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation is currently building two suburban rail lines, which should be completed by December 2025. This fourth line would be added to those lines.

Goods trains and a few long-distance passenger trains mostly utilize the older line on this route.
In order to improve travel times and expand capacity, this old line will now also be doubled.

The Suburban Network’s Longest Bridges and Tunnels

The new suburban corridor, which will include some of the longest tunnels and bridges in the Mumbai suburban railway network, will run along a new route between Panvel and Karjat.

Mid-Day previously said that the Panvel–Karjat railway project, which is a component of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3), has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Three local trains have already been developed by Central Railway for use on the line in the future.