January 6, 2026: Mumbai’s suburban rail network is set for a significant capacity boost after the Ministry of Railways approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Badlapur and Karjat under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3B (MUTP 3B). The project received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, following earlier approval from the Maharashtra government.
The proposed quadrupling will cover a 32.46-kilometre stretch running parallel to the existing tracks and will serve six stations—Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri Road, and Karjat. Once completed, the additional lines are expected to substantially improve operational efficiency and ease congestion on one of the busiest suburban rail sections in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The project will be implemented by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). Construction will commence after land acquisition is completed, with the plan requiring approximately 37.79 hectares of land comprising private, government and railway-owned parcels. The total estimated cost is ₹1,324 crore, to be funded equally by the Ministry of Railways and the Maharashtra government through Gross Budgetary Support.
Railway officials stated that the new lines are crucial for decongesting the Mumbai–Chennai high-density corridor, which currently handles intense suburban passenger traffic alongside increasing freight movement. By segregating suburban services from mainline and long-distance operations, the project aims to reduce delays, streamline scheduling, and deliver smoother services for both commuters and freight trains.
In addition to track expansion, the project includes station upgrades, boundary protection works, and other infrastructure improvements to enhance passenger safety and station efficiency. These measures are expected to improve punctuality and reliability by addressing long-standing operational bottlenecks on the route.
MRVC officials noted that the quadrupling will fully separate suburban and mainline traffic between Kalyan and Karjat, strengthening commuter services while supporting long-distance and freight operations. The project is expected to be completed within three to four years after land acquisition is finalised.
The Badlapur–Karjat upgrade is part of the broader MUTP 3 programme, which focuses on expanding suburban rail capacity, modernising stations, and improving service quality to meet the region’s rising transport demand.
