Mumbai commuters may soon benefit from direct local train services between Virar and Panvel as the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has reintroduced the Panvel-Vasai Suburban Railway Project under Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3B. Once operational, the route is expected to enhance East-West connectivity and extend services to Virar.
The plan includes constructing a third and fourth railway line between Panvel and Vasai, complementing the ongoing development of the fifth and sixth lines between Borivali and Virar under MUTP 3A. MRVC officials highlighted that this corridor would not only ease travel for daily commuters but also boost accessibility across Northern Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Panvel station, located near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, already connects to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and a separate suburban corridor to Karjat is in progress. Currently, only limited Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services operate between Panvel, Diva, and Vasai, making this new project crucial for improving regional transit.
Despite past setbacks—where the Panvel-Virar corridor was proposed and later dropped—renewed focus on Mumbai’s rail expansion has raised optimism. If approvals proceed as planned, the project will mark a significant step in strengthening Mumbai’s suburban rail network and offering commuters a faster, more efficient mode of transport.
Source: The Free Press Journal
