Parel terminus work to start from Sept-end

Parel terminus construction work, that will allow the Central Railway to terminate and start services from Parel station, is likely to start from the end of September.

The long-awaited Parel terminus construction work, that will allow the Central Railway to terminate and start services from Parel station, is likely to start from the end of September.

Hindustan Times has been consistently reporting about the overcrowded Parel station that almost results in stampedes at the CST-end staircase during peak hours (HT File Photo)

This spells relief for suburban commuters because it will mean additional entry and exit points to the station, and an additional platform from where the railways can operate more trains, thus augmenting the passenger carrying capacity on the Central Railway.

Currently over 1.5lakh commuters use the station and passenger numbers are likely to go up even more considering the increasing commercialisation around Parel and Elphinstone Road stations.

Hindustan Times has been consistently reporting about the overcrowded Parel station that almost results in stampedes at the CST-end staircase during peak hours. Following this, the government railway police (GRP) had deployed additional staff at the station to manage the crowd during peak hours.

The Parel terminus will involve widening of the existing platforms by 10meters and its extension towards Elphinstone road overbridge; construction of an additional 15 car island platforms adjacent to existing platform number 1 with double discharge facility.

“We are currently shifting the railway lines to ensure smooth operations of trains even while the platform construction work is in progress. This will finish by September 25 after which the construction of the new platform will start,” said Ravinder Goyal, divisional railway manager (DRM) CR.