MUTP III gets Centre’s approval, cabinet nod awaited

After a gap of eight years finally the city has been sanctioned new suburban railway lines which will not only improve but also expand the suburban rail network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

After a gap of eight years finally the city has been sanctioned new suburban railway lines which will not only improve but also expand the suburban rail network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). On Wednesday the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) III comprising proposals of expanding the suburban railway network up to Dahanu, Karjat and upgrading suburban train operating system received the much-awaited clearance from expanded board of railways (EBR), which comprises senior officials from Railways, NITI Ayog and ministry of finance and ministry of statistics and programme implementation.

The Rs 10,085 crore Mumbai Urban Transport Project now awaits clearance by cabinet committee of economic affairs (CCEA) that is likely in October. (HT File Photo)

The Rs10,085 crore project now awaits clearance by cabinet committee of economic affairs (CCEA) that is likely in October.

Once that is done, the railways can commission construction work by March 2017. “As soon as CCEA approval comes we are prepared to float the tenders but tender finalising will take another six months and the work may commission only after March, 2017,” said a railway official requesting anonymity.

The MUTP III involves expanding suburban rail network up to Dahanu by constructing 3rd and 4th line between Virar-Dahanu (63km), Airoli-Kalwa (4km) which will provide easier access for suburban commuters between Kalyan-Panvel and doubling of Panvel-Karjat (28km).

Prior to this, in 2008-09 new suburban lines were approved by railways as part of MUTP II which included Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) – Kurla 5th and 6th line, Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line and Thane – Diva 5th -6thline. However, none of the above projects have been completed till now mainly due to the land acquisition issue.