October 27, 2025: The long-awaited Panvel–Karjat suburban railway corridor, a major infrastructure project under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase III, is nearing completion, with 79% of the work already finished. Developed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) at an estimated cost of Rs 2,782 crore, the 29.6-kilometre corridor is expected to ease congestion on the Central Railway and enhance connectivity between Navi Mumbai and Karjat.
According to MRVC officials and a report by Loksatta, major civil works — including bridges, tunnels, and station structures — are now in their final stages. The line will include five stations: Panvel, Chikhale, Mohape, Chowk, and Karjat. Once operational, it is expected to cut travel time by nearly 30 minutes between Panvel and Karjat, benefiting thousands of commuters from Karjat, Bhivpuri, Neral, and Khopoli who travel daily to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai for work.
The project features nine major bridges, 35 minor bridges, 15 underpasses, one rail flyover, and three tunnels, all of which have been excavated. Track-laying has already commenced, marking a key milestone in the project’s implementation.
While the original completion deadline was December 2025, MRVC officials now project that the corridor will be operational by March 2026. Once completed, the new line will play a critical role in reducing the passenger load on the main Central line, where crowding remains a major concern.
The Panvel–Karjat corridor is also expected to stimulate real estate growth and economic activity in the emerging residential and commercial zones along the route, further strengthening regional connectivity and urban development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Source: The Free Press Journal
