Mumbai Local Train Service To Benefit From New Corridors, Reducing Long-Distance Train Delays

Mumbai's suburban train network often faces delays due to long-distance trains sharing the same tracks. This causes significant disruptions for daily commuters. However, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report, two new rail corridors on the Jalgaon-Manmad and Bhusawal-Khandwa routes are set to create a separate path for the more than 200 long-distance trains entering Mumbai daily on the Central Railway (CR) network. Additionally, work is underway to add two new lines on the Kalyan-Asangaon-Kasara route.

On November 26, the union cabinet approved three key railway projects to improve these corridors: the Manmad-Jalgaon 4th line, the Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd and 4th lines, and the Manikpur-Iradatganj 3rd line. These upgrades will significantly benefit Mumbai's local train services, according to CR officials.

"The new rail lines will prevent long-distance trains from being delayed due to ongoing work on existing tracks," said a CR official in the HT report. "Currently, if a long-distance train is delayed, it causes disruptions to suburban services, leading to delays for commuters. The new lines will allow these trains to continue their journey on schedule without interfering with local train operations."

Currently, the corridors only have two rail lines in most sections, with key stations such as Bhusawal and Khandwa serving as major intersections for long-distance trains. These stations connect trains from various regions including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, and the North-East, before they continue towards Mumbai on the CR network.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved these projects, which are estimated to cost Rs 7,927 crore. "This will ease operations, reduce congestion, and enhance infrastructure on some of the busiest sections of the railway network," he said in the report.

Work on these new rail lines is expected to begin in 2025 and take two to three years to complete. Once finished, the new corridors will allow the operation of 15 additional trains and save about 15 crore litres of diesel annually. The projects will cover seven districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, adding 639 kilometres of track to the network. The upgraded corridors will also improve access to significant tourist destinations such as the Khajuraho temples, Ajanta and Ellora caves, and various forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

These improvements are expected to greatly enhance the efficiency and capacity of Mumbai's rail network, benefiting commuters and travellers alike.