New rly station likely to come up near Panvel

MUMBAI: A new suburban railway station near Panvel on the transharbour line of the Central Railway (CR) is in the pipeline as railway minister Suresh Prabhu has responded positively to Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Appa Barne’s demand for it.

Barne — an MP from Maval Lok Sabha constituency, which includes Panvel — has been requesting Prabhu for a new suburban station at Bhingarwadi on the Panvel-karjat line, for the convenience of commuters from 11 villages.

“People from Khanavali, Poyanje, Bhingarwadi, Bhingar, Shedung, Vardoli, Bherle, Belavali and Machiprabal have been facing difficulties owing to the absence of a railway station nearby. I suggested a station at Bhingarwadi, which is easily accessible,”said Barne.

Prabhu had initially said the proposal was being considered. He subsequently asked the CR’S chief commercial manager to study the plan.

“With the connectivity from Bhingarwadi, the people of my constituency will become part of the rapid urbanisation that has been taking place in this area. The national goal of affordable housing could be effectively met with developments such as suburban rail connectivity,” he said.

A CR committee, formed at the insistence of Prabhu, said the traffic on CR has been rising at 4% a year. It highlighted the need to acquire 150 new trains.

The committee suggested a Rs 21 000 crore makeover plan for