Long-distance trains using the same lines can cause delays in Mumbai’s suburban rail system.
Since more than 200 long-distance trains use the Central Railway (CR) network to enter Mumbai every day, these delays seriously affect regular travelers.
To keep long-distance trains apart from suburban operations, two new rail corridors are being built on the Jalgaon-Manmad and Bhusawal-Khandwa lines.
Two New Rail Corridors Being Built on Jalgaon-Manmad and Bhusawal-Khandwa Lines
To increase capacity and efficiency, two more lines are being added to the Kalyan-Asangaon-Kasara route.
Three significant railway projects were authorized by the Union Cabinet on November 26: the Manikpur-Iradatganj 3rd line, the Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd and 4th lines, and the Manmad-Jalgaon 4th line.
By establishing distinct routes for long-distance trains, these initiatives hope to lessen the interference with suburban rail services.
Major stations like Bhusawal and Khandwa, which act as junctions for long-distance trains from different areas, are congested since the majority of these corridors now only have two rail lines.
Long-distance trains will be able to keep to their timetables thanks to the additional lines, which won’t interfere with local rail operations in Mumbai.
For these initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has set out ₹7,927 crore.
Infrastructure Improvements, Operations To Be Streamlined
According to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the improvements would improve infrastructure, streamline operations, and lessen traffic on some of the busiest railway segments.
These projects are anticipated to be finished in two to three years, with work starting in 2025.
The new corridors would save about 15 crore liters of fuel per year once they are operating and allow for 15 more trains.
Through these projects, 639 kilometers of track would be added in seven districts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Key tourist attractions including the Khajuraho temples, the Ajanta and Ellora caves, forts, and animal sanctuaries will be easier to reach thanks to the renovated corridors.
It is anticipated that these improvements would boost Mumbai’s train system’s capacity and efficiency, which will benefit commuters and tourists alike.
