November 27, 2025: The Central government has approved a major infrastructure upgrade for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, giving the green signal to the construction of the 3rd and 4th rail lines between Badlapur and Karjat. The 32-km stretch, part of the larger Mumbai suburban railway network, is expected to significantly improve capacity, ease congestion, and support future passenger growth.
The newly sanctioned 32.460-km Badlapur–Karjat brownfield project will extend the ongoing Kalyan–Badlapur 3rd and 4th line expansion, where 21% of work has already been completed with a deadline of December 2026. This extension will help decongest one of the busiest rail corridors—Mumbai–Pune–Solapur–Wadi–Chennai—where long-distance, freight, and suburban services currently compete for limited rail space.
Officials noted that the existing Kalyan–Karjat two-line section is heavily saturated. The existing two lines between Kalyan and Karjat are carrying mixed traffic of mail/express trains, goods trains, and suburban services. The satellite towns of Badlapur, Ambernath, and Ulhasnagar require improved suburban rail connectivity to Kalyan and Mumbai. Current services originate from terminals at Ambernath, Badlapur, Karjat, and Khopoli, but cannot be increased due to saturation on the Kalyan–Badlapur section,” an official explained.
The project is expected to enhance rail frequency, reduce travel bottlenecks, and better connect fast-growing townships across the MMR. Strengthening links toward southern India via the extended suburban corridor is also a key objective. Overall, the approval marks a significant step toward upgrading Mumbai’s overburdened railway infrastructure and supporting its expanding suburban population.
