Mumbai’s suburban rail line transports millions of passengers every day. Of the numerous routes that connect the city the Kalyan-Karjat section is one of the most stressed sections within the Rail Corridor. In the past the section has experienced increasing pressure because of the increase in suburban commuters as well as long-distance trains and the heavy movement of freight. Since there are only two tracks that can handle the entire traffic delays have become commonplace and speeds have decreased as the network has reached an extent where the addition of additional services is becoming difficult, to resolve these enduring issues an extensive upgrade is in the works and is slated to be completed by the third and fourth railway lines connecting Badlapur as well as Karjat. The goal of this project is to decrease the amount of congestion, enhance daily travel and improve the flow for all kinds of trains that travel through this vital stretch.
Why does this rail corridor need an upgrade?
The route Badlapur-Karjat is a crucial section since it is a conduit for three distinct types of trains:
- Local suburban trains
- Long-distance passenger trains
- Trains for heavy freight
All of these are currently running on two tracks. Therefore, the slowness of one type affects other categories. A freight train could cause a delay to the speed of a local train, whereas local trains can cause delays to the speed of an express train headed towards Pune as well as the regions to the southwest of India.
In the same way, the areas such as Badlapur, Ambernath and Ulhasnagar have rapidly developed into highly sought-after residential areas. There are thousands of residents who move into these suburbs each year to find affordable housing, which is increasing the number of rail commuters who commute daily. The current tracks are unable to take on the growing demand especially during peak hours.
Due to these problems the travelers are often faced with delays, congestion and long wait times for trains. It is because the Rail Corridor has become stretched to a point that it is not able to handle the load.
What does the new project include?
The government has approved that construction work be started on two additional tracks which will create an all-line route that runs between Badlapur to Karjat. The length is around 32 km and needs extensive construction work like bridges, station upgrades and the creation of modern signalling infrastructure.
The cost for the project is estimated to be around 1300 crore rupees and work is executed in phases. The project is in addition to another significant project, the expansion of four tracks that run connecting Kalyan and Badlapur within the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-3A). After both projects are completed the entire Kalyan-Karjat road will have four separate tracks.
This is a significant step as it will enable greater separation of types of trains. One track can be devoted to locals in suburban areas while the other pair is dedicated to freight and long-distance trains. This alone can greatly increase the speed as well as safety and efficiency that is rail corridors.
How will the upgrade help daily commuters?
For those who travel regularly the most obvious shift is less crowding and increased trains. With the addition of more tracks, Central Railway will be in a position to expand the number of local trains, particularly during the morning and evening rush hour.
It is anticipated that punctuality will improve since suburban trains won’t get caught behind freight trains that are slow to move. People who travel from Kalyan, Badlapur, Vangani, Neral and Karjat will enjoy smoother travel and fewer interruptions.
Trains may also operate at a higher speed and this can reduce the duration of travel. A small reduction of 5-10 minutes for each journey could make a significant impact for those who travel regularly.
Benefits for long-distance and freight trains
The new tracks will aid express trains that travel long distances. They often slow down in suburban areas due to shared tracks, with separate lines, they will run more smoothly and have more efficient time schedules.
The movement of freight will also receive an increase. This corridor is a crucial way to transport cement, coal tanks, oil products and other heavy items. The newly upgraded tracks can carry nearly 18 million tonnes more freight each year.
This more efficient movement of goods will help reduce transportation costs and help support industries throughout Maharashtra.
Environmental and economic impact
This project could provide significant environmental benefits as well, with smoother transportation and less idle time and idling, the system is expected to save around 3 million litres of fuel and will reduce around 16 crore tons in carbon dioxide emissions. This is the equivalent of planting approximately 64 thousand trees and is the most positive thing you can do for sustainability.
Although the project is not without its issues like land work bridges, bridges and other technological upgrades, the long-term advantages are obvious. Once it is completed, the enlarged Rail Corridor will be a significant boost to commuters as well as the economy.
The project is a significant shift towards creating a robust, reliable and future-proof railway system for Mumbai’s expanding population.
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Disclaimer – This article is based on publicly available information and aims to provide a general overview of the Mumbai Rail Corridor upgrade. Details may evolve as projects progress.
Source –
Indian Express
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