Mumbai’s suburban railway network witnessed significant infrastructure activity in July, with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) completing or commissioning more than 20 major works across multiple projects. The work covered bridges, subways, signalling, electrification, elevated decks, booking facilities and land acquisition.
The Panvel-Karjat suburban corridor recorded several important milestones. Subways at Chikhale and Mohape were completed, while Road Over Bridges 89/1 and 90/2 were opened for residents. Cabling work was also completed inside Tunnels 1 and 3. Around 4 km each of OHE catenary and contact wire, along with 32 km of dropping wire, was installed. The corridor is expected to be ready for inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety by the end of 2026.
The Virar-Dahanu quadrupling project also advanced, with a Road Over Bridge at Level Crossing 55A and Minor Bridge 133 completed. Phase-I signalling and telecommunications works at Kelve Road were commissioned, along with automatic signalling between Saphale and Kelve Road and new electronic interlocking systems.
On the Borivali-Virar fifth and sixth line project, MRVC took possession of 1.81 hectares of land at Bhayandar. Staff quarters at Vasai Road and Bhayandar were also completed, supporting the expansion of capacity on the Western Railway corridor.
Station connectivity improved with elevated decks at Kandivali and Mira Road handed over to Western Railway. A new east-side booking office was commissioned at Mankhurd, while Ghatkopar received a 55-metre elevated deck linking the suburban station’s FOB with the Metro FOB.
MRVC also launched 42 girders at Dombivli, Dahisar, Virar, Bhayandar and Nallasopara for various skywalk, FOB and elevated-deck projects during scheduled traffic and power blocks.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Cabinet increased MRVC’s authorised share capital from Rs 25 crore to Rs 500 crore and paid-up capital from Rs 25 crore to Rs 225 crore, strengthening its financial capacity for major projects.
Work on the Sion Road Over Bridge also crossed a key milestone, with Central Railway installing the second 500-tonne semi-through steel girder over operational railway tracks. Each girder is 54.5 metres long.
The new Sion bridge is targeted for commissioning in September 2026. The reconstruction, being undertaken by Central Railway and BMC, will accommodate the planned fifth and sixth railway lines and replace the ageing 110-year-old structure.
Source: Mid-day
