Western Railway considers underground suburban network from Churchgate to Virar

Western Railway is considering building an underground suburban rail network between Churchgate and Virar. However, the proposal has not yet reached even the feasibility study stage, because the construction department is waiting for fund approval from the Railway Board.

A senior railway official said that if the project is found feasible, a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared. "Once the funds are approved, we will start the feasibility study. If the project turns out to be feasible, a DPR will be prepared," the official said.

The proposal is based on a letter dated March 3, 2026. The letter invited proposals for drawing up the concept of an underground suburban rail network between Churchgate and Virar and for a feasibility study (FLS).

The matter was taken up during the Railway Minister's visit to Ahmedabad. Before moving to detailed planning and implementation, the immediate step is to examine whether such a network can be built.

The proposal is at an early stage. No timeline has been announced for the study or the construction.

The plan comes amid heavy suburban traffic on Western Railway, which currently runs 1,414 services a day. A large number of passengers travel on Mumbai's suburban rail network. The prospect of an underground connection therefore raises several questions, such as expansion of capacity, availability of land, the cost of construction and linking the new infrastructure with the existing railway system.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is also examining underground suburban connectivity on two corridors through an agency named Padeco. The corridors are Churchgate-Virar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Parel.

The study is still under way and its report has not yet been submitted. According to a senior official, MRVC and the agency concerned recently met to discuss the work, and the corporation asked the consultant for more information. The results of the study are likely to take more time.

The two initiatives are separate. Their progress will depend on the completion of the respective studies and the assessment of their feasibility. While Western Railway waits for funds to begin the proposed feasibility study for the Churchgate-Virar corridor, MRVC is carrying out its own assessment of the underground connection.