Western Railway is considering an underground suburban railway corridor between Churchgate and Virar, but the proposal is awaiting financial approval from the Railway Board before a feasibility study can begin. If the project is deemed viable, authorities will proceed with preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The proposal follows a communication dated March 3, 2026, which called for an underground rail network connecting Churchgate and Virar to be conceptualised and assessed. The matter was reportedly raised during the Railway Minister’s visit to Ahmedabad.
A senior railway official said, “Once the funds are sanctioned, we will start the feasibility study. If the project is found feasible, the DPR will be prepared,” indicating that the initiative remains at an early planning stage. No timeline has been announced for the study or potential construction.
The proposed corridor comes as Western Railway operates 1,414 suburban services daily to accommodate Mumbai’s extensive commuter traffic. An underground network could offer another avenue for increasing capacity, particularly as space for additional surface-level infrastructure becomes increasingly limited.
Separately, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has commissioned consultant Padeco to examine underground suburban connectivity along two routes: Churchgate–Virar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)–Parel.
The MRVC assessment is still in progress, and its findings have not yet been submitted. A senior official said the corporation recently met the consultant to review progress and requested further information. The report is expected to require additional time before it can be finalised.
Western Railway’s proposed feasibility exercise and MRVC’s ongoing assessment are separate initiatives. Their future will depend on the findings of the respective studies and whether the proposed corridors are technically and financially viable.
For Mumbai commuters, underground suburban rail infrastructure could potentially ease pressure on the existing network and improve connectivity across heavily travelled routes. However, questions concerning construction costs, engineering feasibility, land constraints and integration with existing railway services will need to be addressed.
The Churchgate–Virar proposal has yet to receive the funding required for its initial assessment, making the Railway Board’s approval a key step towards determining whether the project can advance beyond the conceptual stage.
Source: The Free Press Journal
