December 4, 2025: Two long-pending railway projects in Mumbai — the expansion of Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and the development of a new terminus at Parel — have moved forward after receiving approval from the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the Union Railway Ministry, the Hindustan Times reported. According to Central Railway (CR) officials cited in the report, both proposals will now be placed before the Railway Board ahead of the tendering process.
Senior CR officials confirmed that the PEC gave its clearance a few days ago and that detailed project blueprints are already prepared. “We expect all permissions to come through and work to begin within this financial year,” a senior CR official told HT.
The LTT expansion plan involves utilising the available space between the existing terminus and Vidyavihar station. “At LTT, there is ample space between the existing terminus and Vidyavihar station, which will allow us to construct at least three to four platforms,” the official said. Currently, LTT manages 26 pairs of long-distance trains, which increases to 37 pairs during holidays. With seven platforms in service, adding three to four more could introduce six to ten additional pairs of long-distance trains. The area earmarked for expansion includes railway quarters and older tracks, and improved connectivity to the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road is expected after the upgrade. LTT handles nearly 70,000 passengers daily, and another official noted, “The railway ministry would like to operate 50 more long-distance trains from Mumbai.”
The PEC has also cleared the proposed terminus at Parel, which will be aligned with the upcoming fifth and sixth lines between Kurla and Parel. The terminus will be dedicated to mail and express trains. Madhu Kotian, president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, said the new facility will help decongest Dadar and CSMT by serving as an additional hub. Estimated at Rs 500 crore, the project includes two island platforms, four tracks for 26-coach trains, and a 15-metre-wide access road with a ramp and viaduct. Initially proposed in 2016, the project faced objections due to the relocation of the Parel workshop staff, who will now be shifted to other city facilities.
Source: Swarajya
