December 29, 2025: The Panvel-Karjat Suburban Rail Corridor, a key component of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-III), has achieved 67 percent completion as of October 2024, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,782 crore. Developed by the Mumbai Railway Development Corporation (MRVC), the 29.6 km corridor will connect Panvel and Karjat, providing improved suburban and express rail connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
A notable milestone in the project is the completion of the 2-km Waverly Tunnel (Tunnel T2), the longest tunnel on the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. The corridor is expected to ease congestion at Thane-Kalyan station significantly. Mail-express trains will receive priority on this route, alongside local train operations between Mumbai and Karjat via Panvel.
Land acquisition for the project has been finalised, covering 56.82 hectares of private land and 4.4 hectares of government land, moving the corridor closer to full completion.
Completed Works:
Earthwork: 20 lakh cubic metres of soil filled.
Tunnels: Excavation for all three tunnels completed; expansion in progress.
Bridges: 35 of 47 bridges completed (29 minor, 6 major).
Road Over Bridges (ROBs): Four constructed, with ongoing work at Mohope and Kiravali.
Pune Expressway Underpass: Construction completed.
Works in Progress:
Construction of five stations: Panvel, Chikhle, Mahape, Chowk, and Karjat.
Development of platforms, foot overbridges (FOBs), and administrative buildings.
The project aims to strengthen connectivity between Navi Mumbai’s Raigad district and Karjat, offering commuters seamless access along this new rail corridor. Initially approved in December 2016, the revised completion deadline for the Panvel-Karjat Suburban Rail Corridor is December 2025. Once operational, it is expected to enhance commuter convenience, decongest existing rail lines, and support the region’s growing transit needs.
Source: News18
