Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves for Mumbai Thursday afternoon to lay the foundation stone for a dedicated rail freight corridor connecting India's financial hub to the national capital.
The 1,469-km corridor is being built by Indian Railways at a cost of Rs 114.46 billion to ensure smooth movement for goods.
Among those expected to be at the event are United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, Maharashtra Governor SM Krishna and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
This is the second freight corridor covering the western section being inaugurated by the prime minister. He had laid the foundation stone for the freight corridor (eastern) project in Punjab last month.
The prime minister, who returns to the capital Thursday evening, will also inaugurate additional suburban rail services in Thane, Vashi, Churchgate and Borivali.