The long-awaited western extension of Mumbai’s Harbour Line has taken a significant step forward, with Western Railway initiating the tendering process for key civil infrastructure works between Goregaon and Borivli under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)-3A. The proposed project is expected to enhance suburban rail connectivity and provide commuters with improved travel options across the city’s western suburbs.
Western Railway has invited bids for an Rs 86.5-crore contract covering essential construction activities along the planned corridor. The scope of work includes earthworks, bridge construction, rail formation, side drains, retaining walls, boundary walls and other supporting infrastructure required for the extension.
The overall Goregaon-Borivli Harbour Line project has been estimated at approximately Rs 898 crore. Of this, around Rs 728 crore has been allocated for civil engineering works, while electrical systems and signalling and telecommunications infrastructure are expected to cost Rs 88 crore and Rs 82 crore, respectively.
A major component of the project involves constructing 18 bridges along the route. This includes two major bridges and 16 minor bridges that will support the new railway alignment and improve operational efficiency once the corridor becomes functional.
Land acquisition, however, continues to be one of the most critical hurdles. The project requires nearly 3,688 square metres of land, comprising about 3,389 square metres of privately owned land and 299 square metres belonging to government agencies.
Authorities have also been working on the rehabilitation of project-affected persons (PAPs). So far, 520 PAPs have been identified on railway land, with rehabilitation units already allotted to 178 individuals. Additionally, 141 PAPs have been identified on privately owned land that falls within the project footprint.
While construction momentum is building, several challenges remain, including completion of land acquisition, rehabilitation of the remaining affected families, removal of encroachments and securing approvals for pending bridge designs.
The latest Rs 86.51-crore tender, floated on May 27, marks an important milestone in advancing the Harbour Line’s expansion towards Borivli, a project expected to improve east-west and north-south rail connectivity across Mumbai.
Source: The Times of India
