Kurla Station Deck Update: Incomplete Bridges, Missing Links, Endless Delays

In a case that underlines severe inefficiency, the construction of the elevated railway station at Kurla has been stuck in limbo for over ten years. According to a report by mid-day, the project-once considered a vital upgrade to the suburban railway network-now stands as one of Indian Railways' longest-running delays.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in its recent review, has taken serious note of the matter and criticised Indian Railways, particularly highlighting the lack of progress on the Kurla elevated station.

What Was The Plan?

The project was designed as part of the 5th and 6th line expansion, aimed at separating long-distance trains from suburban services. This would require a new elevated harbour line platform at Kurla while freeing the current tracks for express trains. As part of this plan, the existing harbour line platform would be removed, and a new layout similar to that of Parel station would be developed, complete with a terminating platform.

The elevated line starts after Chunabhatti station and rises towards Kurla, passing through the proposed elevated station before descending again near Tilak Nagar.

Delayed And Disjointed

However, land acquisition hurdles have stalled the entire project. Foot overbridges remain incomplete, and access to the eastern side of Kurla station is limited. Although a subway connects the east and west, it does not link directly to the platforms, reducing its usefulness.

Meanwhile, a newly constructed east-west bridge by the BMC is also unfinished and has only been temporarily connected to an older foot overbridge to allow movement, as reported by mid-day.

The Rs 125-crore project was first highlighted by mid-day in October 2017. It includes a 1,120-metre-long bridge made up of 59 spans and a central skywalk connecting all foot overbridges.

A Patchwork Of Hanging Bridges

Not just new construction, even existing infrastructure has been affected. A previously functioning footbridge has now been partially dismantled and hangs awkwardly above active railway lines. One end of this bridge now connects mid-way to another newer bridge, resulting in a patchwork arrangement that raises safety concerns.

What The Officials Say

A Central Railway spokesperson told mid-day that land acquisition efforts are being fast-tracked. The official added that Railway authorities are in regular contact with local bodies to resolve the bottlenecks.

Out of the 10,060.99 square meters required for the first phase between Kurla and Parel, only 2,656 sq m has been acquired so far. The remaining includes both government (3,639.34 square meters) and private land (6,421.65 square meters).

Citizens Speak Out

Subhash Gupta, a long-time resident of Kurla and member of the Yatri Sangh, called the delay "the height of inefficiency." He added in the same report, "Kurla station is a mess. Even when top officials visit, there's no visible progress."

Jitendra Gupta of the Citizens Transport Forum echoed these concerns and questioned the lack of urgency. "Why haven't courts fast-tracked such vital projects? If the land belonged to the Railways, how was it encroached upon? Where is the accountability?"