CR remodelling Kasara, Karjat stns to improve train punctuality

Kasara and Karjat – the stations on the fag ends of Central Railway (CR) are getting remodeled with an objective to improve the punctuality of trains in the future and allow smooth running of long distance trains arriving from Pune and Nashik respectively. Sources said they will also lay an additional line on the KarjatPalasdari stretch towards Khopoli which now is a single one. This is vital work for the augmentation and catering to future needs. Both these yards are part of the northern ends of Mumbai’s Metropolitan Region and are nothing less than entry points for trains arriving and departing Mumbai from different parts of the country using the CR. For the remodeling of these two stations, the CR is shifting around three to four rail lines at both locations that presently cater to goods and freight trains. This will create additional space for laying more lines and give a room for local and long-distance trains to stand at the same time. Platforms are also likely to be extended with chances of new ones coming up.

“This work will allow improving punctuality of suburban trains in the near future. It is a vital work that is being carried out. The two stations cater to rail traffic of Freight trains as well,” said a Central Railway official.

In the long run, as part of Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP); works are underway to extend the third and fourth lines beyond Kalyan, towards Kasara and Karjat; in phases. In the coming years, this will enable complete segregation of longdistance trains with local trains right from the time they enter MMR. As part of the ongoing work, the CR authorities will lay an additional line or doubling on the Karjat-Palasdari stretch which is 1-km long. This line goes towards Khopoli. The purpose of doubling will ensure that there is some cushion available for CR while operating local and longdistance trains.