Uran Suburban Train Service Begins After 25 Years: PM Modi Inaugurates 14.60 Km Stretch

The first suburban train from Uran in Raigad district on the corridor inaugurated by PM Modi will run from Saturday, more than a quarter of a century after the project started.

After more than 25 years in the making, the first suburban train from Uran in the neighboring Raigad district will commence operations on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14.60-kilometer Kharkopar-Uran stretch of the 27-kilometer Belapur-Seawoods-Uran suburban corridor on Friday at a well-attended event in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai.

A Project Long in the Making

The Belapur-Seawoods-Uran suburban corridor project has faced numerous delays since its inception in the 1990s. The second phase inaugurated by PM Modi consists of five stations and several bridges. Currently, 40 suburban services operate on this route, and the extension to Uran will significantly enhance connectivity to the region, including its Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Extended Services and Improved Connectivity

Central Railway announced that 40 services that previously ran up to Kharkopar station from Belapur and Nerul will now be extended to Uran. These extended services will halt at Shemtikhar, Nhava Sheva, and Dronagiri stations. The frequency of services between Uran and Belapur/Nerul stations will be 30 minutes, while Belapur to Uran and Nerul to Uran stations will have a frequency of 60 minutes during peak hours. Additionally, 10 services will run during morning and evening peak hours on the extended route.

These extended services aim to provide an affordable and eco-friendly mode of transportation for students, traders, and daily commuters, thereby enhancing connectivity to the SEZ area and Navi Mumbai.

Project Details and Challenges

The route inaugurated on Friday features one important bridge, two major bridges, 39 minor bridges, three road overbridges (ROBs), and three road underbridges (RUBs). The cost incurred in the second phase of the project amounts to Rs 1,433 crore.

Journalist and railway historian Rajendra B Aklekar highlighted that the Belapur-Seawoods-Uran suburban corridor holds the dubious distinction of being the most delayed railway project in Maharashtra. The project was initially approved in March 1996 with an original deadline of March 2004. Land acquisition was cited as one of the primary reasons for the delay.

Additional Station Inaugurated

In addition to the Uran extension, PM Modi also inaugurated Digha Gaon station on the Thane-Vashi/Panvel trans-harbour line. Located approximately 3.2 kilometers from Thane and 2.6 kilometers from Airoli, Digha Gaon station was constructed as part of the Airoli-Kalwa elevated corridor under the MUTP-II project at a cost of Rs 90 crore.

Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern passenger amenities, the new station is expected to benefit thousands of people from the area who previously had to travel to Thane or Airoli to board local trains.

The inauguration of the Uran extension and Digha Gaon station marks a significant milestone in improving connectivity and transportation options for residents of Navi Mumbai and the surrounding areas. These infrastructure developments aim to enhance the quality of life for commuters and contribute to the overall growth and development of the region.