One of the longest-running railway infrastructure projects on Mumbai’s Western Railway has finally crossed an important stage. The sixth railway line between Kandivali and Borivali has been completed and cleared by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). This approval allows Western Railway to move closer to introducing more local train services on the busy Churchgate-Borivali and Churchgate-Virar routes. Railway officials say this development will help ease congestion and improve punctuality on one of the city’s most crowded corridors.
The project is being executed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase 3A. The total estimated cost of the project is reportedly Rs 2,184 crore with the full Borivali-Virar
stretch targeted for completion by 2028.
Trial Runs Conducted On The New Sixth Line
Passenger trials on the newly completed sixth line were conducted on Monday with both local and long-distance trains. These trials were carried out to test signalling systems, track alignment and operational safety before regular services begin.
The first long-distance train to run on the sixth line was the Bandra Terminus-Chandigarh Superfast Express. The train entered the sixth line at Borivali at 7:20 AM and exited Malad at 7:41 AM. Shortly after, the first local train on the sixth line departed Borivali at 8:22 AM and crossed Malad at 8:41 AM.
Railway officials confirmed that these trial runs were successful, though a few technical compliances still need to be completed before full authorisation is granted.
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When Will New Local Trains Start Running
Western Railway is planning to introduce at least six additional local train services on the Churchgate-Borivali and Churchgate-Virar routes. These new services are expected to be included in the revised timetable scheduled for April.
But Hindustan Tims citing sources mentioned within the railways have indicated that efforts are being made to start these services earlier, possibly as soon as January, if all pending approvals are received on time.
“There are multiple compliances still pending. It will take a couple of days for this, after which we will get authorisation from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. Once this process is complete, we will be able to run trains on the new lines,” Western Railway official said as quoted by HT.
How The Sixth Line Helps Local Trains
The completion of the sixth line will allow long-distance trains to be shifted away from the fast suburban lines. Around nine long-distance trains operating from Bandra Terminus will soon be moved to the fifth and sixth lines. This segregation will create additional space for local trains and reduce delays caused by express trains crossing suburban sections.
Railway officials said this change will improve operational flexibility and allow more frequent local services during peak hours.
Bridge Construction And Major Engineering Work
The Borivali–Virar project includes extensive bridge construction due to the number of creeks, roads and water channels along the route. In total, the project involves the construction of three major bridges, 16 minor bridges, one road underpass and two critical rail bridges over Vasai Creek, also known as Bhayandar Khadi, Mid-day report mentioned.
As per the report, bridge numbers 73 and 75 are among the most important structures in the project. Foundation work for Bridge No. 73 has already begun. At the same time, an old and historically significant railway bridge near Bhayandar is being dismantled.
Station-Wise Changes Along The Corridor
Panju Island
Since this place does not have direct road connectivity, the project team has put special logistics. Construction material and heavy machinery are being moved to the site through a dedicated ferry service arranged specifically for this work.
Borivali
Borivali station will not undergo major remodelling. The project begins from Platforms 3 and 5 with the new fifth and sixth lines constructed on the western side of the existing tracks. The new lines will pass beneath the Sudhir Phadke flyover towards Dahisar. Most of the land here already belongs to the railways.
Dahisar
At Dahisar, the new lines will pass close to the existing Platform 1. Due to space constraints, the slow-line platforms will be shifted slightly north and merged. The stretch from the Metro Line 2A bridge to Mira Road has already seen significant progress after forest land clearance was granted. It will also have three stabling lines that are being shifted from Borivali.
Mira Road
Mira Road will get new platforms on the western side of the existing Platform 1, as per Mid-day.
Bhayandar
Bhayandar station will see major changes. The platform used for terminating trains will shift westwards. Platform 2 will become the Churchgate-bound slow platform while Platform 3 will serve as the Virar fast platform. In the future, Platform 4 will handle Churchgate fast trains.
Naigaon
New platforms will be built on the western side of Naigaon station. In addition, 20 new stabling lines will be developed between Naigaon and Vasai to park and manage local trains efficiently.
Vasai Road
Vasai Road will undergo extensive remodelling. Platform 1 will be shifted west by around eight metres while its function as a terminal platform will remain unchanged. Two new tracks will be laid where old platforms stood and new platforms will be developed for slow-line services. Existing Platforms 2 and 3 will cater to fast-line trains.
Nallasopara
A new home platform will be constructed west of the existing Platform 1. The current Platform 1 will be converted into an island platform to handle increased traffic.
At Virar, two new platforms will be constructed at the southern end of the station.
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Current Progress And Challenges
The Borivali-Virar fifth and sixth line project has achieved around 18 percent physical progress so far, as per the report. The project has faced several hurdles, which include land acquisition issues, legal disputes and environmental restrictions. Out of 1.81 hectares of private land needed for the project, 1.40 hectares have been acquired. The rest is still stuck in legal procedures.
Another key hurdle is the acquisition of 13.62 hectares of saltpan land. It is facing a delay due to ownership disputes and environmental concerns. Relocation of railway quarters and buildings at Dahisar, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Naigaon and Vasai is still underway.
Both Stage I and Stage II forest clearances have been granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. But work in mangrove areas is being carried out under strict conditions laid down by the Bombay High Court and monitored by the Mangrove Cell.
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