Rs 30,000 crore boost for Mumbai rail as cabinet clears MUTP-3A

In a major boost for the city’s overburdened suburban network, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday approved the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-3A.

The CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the project, estimated to cost Rs 30,849 crore, with a completion cost of Rs 33,690 crore, and expected to be completed within five years.

It will include the introduction of air-conditioned coaches with automatic door operation to improve comfort levels and safety of suburban commuters, and seamless travel for long distance by extending and creating rail corridors.

Besides, there will be improved passenger amenities, faster movement at stations, decongestion at entry/exits, and segregating suburban rail operations of both Central Railway and Western Railway in the city.

For increasing the safety, capacity and efficiency of the suburban rail network, a new Communication Based Train Control System will be implemented on the 385-km-long suburban route spanning Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts.

The project will be executed by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), a joint venture of the Maharashtra government and the Indian Railways. The body is tasked with planning, developing and executing the Mumbai Suburban Railway projects.

“The Centre approved Rs 33,690 crore MUTP 3A project for infrastructure expansion of Mumbai suburban railways. This will help augment new lines, improve signaling system, development of station and more AC train operations in Mumbai and neighbouring cities,” a senior MRVC official was quoted as saying.

The Mumbai suburban railway is the lifeline of the country’s financial capital and is used by roughly eight million commuters daily.

Approved Projects:

* Extension of Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivali
* 5th and 6th line between Borivali and Virar
* 4th line between Kalyan and Asangaon
* 3rd and 4th line between Kalyan and Badlapur
* Segregation of long-distance and suburban train at Kalyan Yard
* Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) technology
* Procurement of 191 AC local trains

Meanwhile, two big-ticket projects – the fast elevated CSMT-Panvel corridor and New Suburban Corridor between Panvel and Virar – were not approved by the committee and will soon be tabled for reconsideration.