Harbour line to get a makeover

The Harbour line — which connects Mumbai city to Navi Mumbai — is set for a makeover. A monorail and a metro rail is also being contemplated on the route. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is considering the possibility of an elevated corridor along the route, reports Shashank Rao.

The Harbour line — which connects Mumbai city to Navi Mumbai — is set for a makeover. A monorail and a metro rail is also being contemplated on the route. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is considering the possibility of an elevated corridor along the route.

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MRVC plans to improve the overall functioning of line, which has problems like consistent delays and ageing rail coaches.

The Harbour line, that runs on two routes — between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and Panvel, and between CST and Andheri — is set to transform from 2012. “We are awaiting approval from the Rail Board for Rs 800 crore dedicated for improvement of Harbour line,” said MRVC chairman, P C Sehgal.

These funds will be used for improving the condition of stations on the line, adding tracks and converting 9-coach trains to 12-coach. Recently, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that Harbour line trains will be converted to 12-coach.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is also studying the feasibility of adding a monorail between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, as part of their Rs 10,000 crore master plan for monorails across the metropolitan region.