Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav recently visited the site to examine the proposal, which intends to increase rail connectivity for the expanding commuter population in the Navi Mumbai area and decongest current city terminals. In order to boost operating bandwidth, the renovation of Kalamboli Yard is being coordinated with the development of Panvel into a long-distance train terminus.
In order to create a decentralised passenger rail model for the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, the integrated project is intended to manage increased train traffic and allow new services to start from Panvel. The initiative supports larger national objectives to provide accessible and sustainable urban transport systems.
In addition to a dedicated home platform and larger passenger circulation areas, the Panvel station will be upgraded with a state-of-the-art island platform that can handle 26-coach trains. Additionally, a 1500-square-meter station building, a new foot overbridge, and connectivity upgrades are being built as part of the project to smoothly link with the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), which will move freight operations away from passenger lines. The Kalamboli coaching and maintenance complex is a crucial component of the supporting infrastructure.
Four pit lines, two full-length train stabling lines, a 130-meter maintenance shed, and designated access and exit points will all be housed at this facility. A third track is being built to connect the Kalamboli hub and the Panvel terminus, which will facilitate train movements without disrupting everyday operations.
Local travellers still voice complaints about last-mile access and basic amenities at Panvel station, despite the engineering’s best efforts. Navi Mumbai Pravasi Sangh’s Manish N. Koparkar observed, “Auto-rickshaws dominate the approach road, causing frequent traffic jams and fare exploitation.” “It is imperative that station access be redesigned, and that amenities like hygienic restrooms, unambiguous announcements, and assistance for elderly and disabled passengers be improved.”
Since Panvel is anticipated to handle an increasing volume of trains and passengers in the near future, mobility experts are advocating for a comprehensive integration of the terminus with last-mile services, local bus routes, and pedestrian access points. Panvel’s emergence as a new railway centre presents both an opportunity and a test case, as the city’s population grows and its current rail networks become overburdened by the growing demand. A more equitable and climate-resilient transport model—one that moves away from centralised systems and towards smarter, people-centric urban mobility—may be made possible by the successful completion of this project.
Source: Urban Acres
