Indian Railways suffers this big hit to image; people of Mumbai suffer

Since Mumbai is constantly expanding and growing, the load on its metropolitan region is rising, and hinterland of Virar, Kasara/Karjat and Panvel are the far ends of the city's metropolitan region and are densely crowded, said the report, adding that as part of the Rs 10,947 crore MUTP-3, it will create suburban rail corridors inter-weaving these fag ends of suburbs.

the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has been asked to include Rs 7,089 crore Panvel-Virar rail corridor in Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-3) so that it can be implemented sooner. Image source: Reuters

Indian Railways has often been criticised for its laidback and lethargic attitude, and authorities have in the past tried to pass the buck on the organisation's mammoth and out-dated infrastructure as well as huge manpower. However, of late the Railways has no doubt striven hard to shed this image. However, this bid to refurbish its image suffered a setback when the World Bank said that Indian Railways planning authorities are not prioritising projects very well and underlined the urgent need to connect Mumbai’s extended suburbs faster.

According to a DNA report, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has been asked to include Rs 7,089 crore Panvel-Virar rail corridor in Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-3) so that it can be implemented sooner.

Since Mumbai is constantly expanding and growing, the load on its metropolitan region is rising, and hinterland of Virar, Kasara/Karjat and Panvel are the far ends of the city's metropolitan region and are densely crowded, said the report, adding that as part of the Rs 10,947 crore MUTP-3, it will create suburban rail corridors inter-weaving these fag ends of suburbs.

“The World Bank — that is funding these projects — have asked us to include Panvel-Virar suburban corridor in MUTP-3. We are working out the necessary procedure for the same,” an official from MRVC told DNA.

Notably, the 70 km long rail corridor will connect harbour line of Central Railways and Western Railways with a cost of Rs 7,089 crore. So far, this project was part of the Rs 54,000 crore MUTP-3A that needs approval from ministries, but it reportedly in the final stage of getting approvals.

The MUTP-3 includes another set of rail corridors to connect far suburbs besides procuring 565 AC EMU coaches and building infrastructure to prevent trespassing on mid-sections between two railway stations. The projects include quadrupling of Virar-Dahanu, new suburban corridor on Panvel-Karjat section and elevated Airoli-Kalwa rail line, DNA report added.

“The World Bank is of the view that if the far flung areas are inter-connected sooner the additional business districts can be created and overcrowding seen in Mumbai can be tackled,” another rail official said.

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Till the Indian Railways takes up these projects on a priority basis, the people of Mumbai will have to suffer from constant delays as well as lack of proper services.

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