CR to boost infra on Vasai-Panvel route
The Central Railway (CR) has decided to boost the overall system on the existing VasaiDiva-Panvel route on which shuttle services and goods trains are currently being run. The move will provide temporary relief to commuters as the long-term plan to augment the rail network in Mumbai's Metropolitan Region has been stuck due to unresolved issues between the Maharashtra government and Indian Railways.
According to CR authorities, plans are in place to install automatic signaling systems, to reduce the gaps between two signal poles, improve the condition of railway stations and to
carry out necessary augmentation works on that route network. Once these works are complete, the CR authorities will also increase the number of shuttle or MEMU services for passengers at a later stage.
Speaking exclusively to FPJ, the general manager of CR, Anil Kumar Lahoti said that they have drawn out plans for enhancing the signaling system
and other necessary works on the Vasai-Diva-Panvel corridor.
Sources said that at present the signal poles are at least 1 km apart, or even more at some stretches. The CR authorities are planning to have these poles 450-750 meters apart with automatic signaling systems for efficient train running. The facilities at the stations will also be upgraded. There are currently nine stations on the existing network which will be increased to 21 stations between Vasai and Panvel.
A new suburban corridor on the Vasai-Diva-Panvel route has been proposed at a cost of Rs 1087 crore. According to the new plan, it will take four years
for completion from the day construction begins. It is expected that AC locals will be operated on the corridor. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has proposed to install an automatic signaling system on the section between Vasai and Diva and to build a 4.5-km-long chord line between Nilaje and Kopar which will cut train travel between Vasai and Panvel by around 15 to 20 minutes.