A significant bureaucratic deadlock is threatening the smooth transfer and much-needed repair of railway stations serving Navi Mumbai. The dispute is between the Central Railway (CR) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) over the upkeep and handover of station infrastructure along the Vashi-Panvel corridor of the harbour Line.
Three decades of deferred maintenance
The rail network was extended to Navi Mumbai in the early 1990s, with CIDCO taking responsibility for the initial construction and maintenance of stations beyond Vashi. Now, nearly three decades later, CIDCO is seeking to transfer the upkeep duties to the CR, which operates the trains.
The problem? The stations, which are between 20 and 25 years old, are showing significant signs of wear and tear. CR officials state that they cannot accept the assets “as-is” and are demanding that CIDCO complete all necessary repairs and maintenance before the handover can occur.
The infrastructure in question includes station buildings, platform structures and passenger areas. CR is insisting on forming a joint team to perform a thorough structural inspection of the aging buildings and surrounding facilities.
Commuters bear the brunt of neglect
The lack of clarity in responsibility directly impacts the approximately 1.2 to 1.4 million daily commuters using the Harbour and Trans-Harbour lines. Commuters frequently report several areas of neglect:
- Platform Damage: Broken tiles and damaged flooring.
- Poor Sanitation: Toilets are often badly maintained and located far from the main passenger areas.
- Safety Issues: Problems include damaged ventilation roofs, poor lighting, and failing electrical connections.
Many commuters believe that if CR takes over, maintenance and cleanliness standards will improve, benefiting key stations like Belapur, Kharghar, Juinagar, and Sanpada.
The profit and price surcharge conflict
The reason for the delay in the handover is financial. When the stations were built, many included office buildings that became early Commercial Business Districts (CBDs), generating profits for CIDCO. CR officials argue that the handover was intentionally delayed because these buildings were revenue earners for the development body.
Adding to the controversy is the ongoing surcharge CIDCO continues to levy on all types of rail tickets for the harbour and trans-harbour lines. This fee, intended to recover the cost of building the rail line and related infrastructure (such as the Vashi bridge), amounts to a monthly average of approximately ₹5 crore. CR officials confirmed paying CIDCO over ₹25 crore in the current financial year alone through this surcharge.
CIDCO sources maintain that the surcharge is necessary to recover the substantial costs incurred in building the entire rail corridor. The ultimate resolution of this dispute rests on whether CIDCO can fulfill CR’s demand to restore the aging infrastructure before finally handing over the keys.
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Disclaimer – This information summarizes a news report on the CR-CIDCO conflict and is not independently verified. For official facts, repair status, or financial liabilities, please contact Central Railway or CIDCO directly.
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