Mumbai Local Train Services Update: Elevated Decks To Ease Congestion At 17 Key Stations; Check List Inside

Mumbai's suburban railway stations, long plagued by overcrowding, are set for a major upgrade. As part of the Station Improvement Project launched in February 2024, over 6.43 lakh square feet of additional space - equivalent to nearly six Azad Maidan grounds - will be added to stations across the Western and Central Railways, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report.

The Rs 947 crore project, executed by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), involves the construction of elevated decks above railway platforms. These decks are designed to ease congestion and enhance infrastructure. They will house ticket counters, toilets, food stalls, commercial spaces, seating arrangements, and other amenities. The elevated decks will connect to foot overbridges, skywalks, staircases, and escalators, providing better crowd management and a significant upgrade to the stations.

Work is ongoing at 17 stations, with partial openings at Kandivali, Ghatkopar, and Khar Road stations. Other stations like Neral and Govandi are also seeing construction progress.

The idea for these elevated decks came after trial projects at Andheri, Goregaon, and Borivali stations. The success of these decks led to their expansion across Mumbai's suburban railway stations. The initial deck at Andheri was constructed in 2019 to manage the growing number of commuters following the operationalisation of the Andheri Metro 1 station. With the success of the Andheri deck, similar decks were constructed at Borivali, Goregaon, Ghatkopar, and Khar Road.

Many of Mumbai's suburban stations, some over 75 years old, are in need of significant upgrades. The current project is a major overhaul, chosen for its potential to reduce congestion, improve safety, and increase accessibility. "The stations selected for this project were chosen based on several factors, including footfalls, congestion, connectivity, and safety," said an MRVC official as per the report.

Subhash Chand Gupta, Chairperson and Managing Director of MRVC, expressed confidence in the project's impact. "This Station Improvement Project will provide world-class facilities to passengers, ensuring better safety, comfort, and convenience. Our aim is to transform these stations into vibrant, efficient hubs that cater to the growing demand for urban transit," he said according to the HT report.

In addition to elevated decks, MRVC is installing more elevators and escalators across suburban stations. Up until 2023, 15 elevators and 16 escalators were commissioned, with four new elevators and nine escalators added in 2024. By 2027, MRVC plans to install an additional 119 elevators and 183 escalators, further improving accessibility and operational efficiency.

This ambitious project marks a significant step towards modernising Mumbai's railway infrastructure, improving the daily commute for millions of passengers.