The redevelopment of Virar railway station is progressing steadily under the Virar-Dahanu Road Quadrupling Project, with several major structures completed and work on new passenger and operational facilities advancing.
The project is aimed at upgrading commuter amenities, improving the station’s operational capacity and strengthening the suburban rail network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Several important railway facilities have already been completed, including the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) building, Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) building, mid-section RRI building between Virar and Vaitarna, civil works for OC Rooms 1 and 2, two Nalha approach bridges at Platform 8, an overhead water tank, gang tool room and indoor substation.
Construction of the new station building and elevated deck above the platforms is also moving ahead. The elevated deck covers nearly 8,000 sq m, with 36 columns erected and 160 girders launched so far. Around 2,000 sq m of deck slab has been completed. The third slab of the Stilt + 3 station building has also been cast, while finishing activities are underway.
Passenger facilities have also been expanded during the redevelopment. The booking office serving Platforms 3 and 4 was relocated to the new station building to facilitate construction of the elevated deck over Platforms 2, 3 and 4. A new booking office with three ticket counters on the eastern side of the station has also been completed and made operational.
Civil works for Platform 8, including the retaining wall for the engineering siding and foundations for the platform cover, have been completed. Platform 5B has also been commissioned to accommodate 15-coach EMU trains, providing greater operational flexibility.
A foot over bridge connecting Virar and Vaitarna near Narangi Gate has been completed and opened to commuters.
Passenger movement is expected to improve further with the widening of Platforms 3A and 4A from 6.5 metres to 10.5 metres. Both platforms have also been extended by 60 metres.
Once completed, the redevelopment is expected to help Virar station handle increasing suburban traffic while improving train operations and passenger movement across the Mumbai suburban network.
Source: Mid-day
