The Railways has started construction of a new Suburban Rail Corridor between Airoli and Kalwa, which will enable trans-harbour trains to bypass Thane, thereby reducing heavy load on the station. On Tuesday night, the bridge was laid and various other works started.
Mumbai Railway Chief Spokesperson Sunil Udasi said, “An open web steel girder of 45.7 m span (weighing 145 MT) was launched on MIDC road near Digha Gaon station for the Airoli-Kalwa project of MUTP-III on Tuesday night. This work has been divided into two phases.’’
Phase-1 includes work on Digha Gaon station, which has been completed, while Phase-2 includes work on the corridor. Apart from the station, other completed works include construction of bridge number 36/4 and 36/5 and 45.7 m span girder last night.
The provisional base cost of the railway line is INR 476 crore. The new route will run on the elevated section after Digha station and pass through parts of Kalwa. The elevated link will start direct trains from Vashi-Belapur to Kalyan. Railway flyover is planned with ballastless track and elevated Kalwa station with platform, booking office, stairs and related works is constructed.
This direct route connecting Airoli and Kalwa will not only reduce the congestion at Thane Junction but also reduce the travel time of passengers travelling from Navi Mumbai to Kalwa and beyond. Till date there is no direct rail link between Kalwa and Airoli. Passengers have to take a connecting train at Thane station.
For relief and rehabilitation of project affected families, 868 flats have been earmarked by MMRDA at Bhayanderpada, Ghodbunder Road. Joint verification of 786 project-affected families in Bhola Nagar and Shivaji Nagar has been stalled due to opposition from residents/local representatives.
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