After facing repeated delays, Mumbai’s upcoming Jogeshwari Terminus is now expected to become operational by January 2027, providing a major boost to the city’s long-distance rail infrastructure. The revised timeline was shared by Western Railway (WR) officials during a recent meeting with rail passenger associations, where authorities explained that modifications to the station’s design had pushed the project back by nearly a year.
Originally planned as a three-platform facility, the terminus underwent a significant redesign, resulting in a larger four-platform layout. The newly added fourth platform will serve as the primary home platform, while the existing platforms are being expanded to improve passenger movement and reduce congestion. “We are also widening the width of the platforms from nine metres to 12 metres,” said another WR official.
Once completed, the terminus will be capable of handling long-distance 24-coach trains and is expected to accommodate up to 12 pairs of mail and express services every day. In addition, the facility will include a dedicated coaching depot for Vande Bharat trains, strengthening its role in Mumbai’s railway network.
The project was initially targeted for completion by March 2025, but changes to the structural plan and additional infrastructure requirements led to delays. Passenger groups have repeatedly urged railway authorities to expedite the work, arguing that an additional terminus in the western suburbs is essential to ease pressure on overcrowded stations such as Borivali and Andheri.
The issue was also discussed during a high-level meeting between commuter representatives and WR officials, where concerns regarding growing passenger volumes and the need for improved rail infrastructure were raised.
Strategically located, Jogeshwari Terminus is expected to help decongest major railway hubs including Bandra Terminus, Dadar, and Mumbai Central. The station will offer strong multimodal connectivity, being situated next to Ram Mandir railway station and approximately 250 metres from the Metro Line 7 corridor through Ram Mandir Road station.
To support passenger convenience, the premises will feature dedicated zones for taxis, app-based cab services, auto-rickshaw stands, and ample parking facilities. The project is particularly significant as Mumbai has not seen a completely new, standalone rail terminus since the development of Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Kurla more than three decades ago.
Source: Hindustan Times
