Western Railway mulls underground suburban line from Churchgate to Virar

A proposal has been made to build an underground suburban rail network between Churchgate and Virar on Western Railway in Mumbai, the country's financial capital. It could bring significant relief to local train commuters.

The proposal is still at an early stage. If the Railway Board sanctions funds for it, it could take shape soon. It would offer a major alternative for Mumbai's growing crowds and ease the pressure on the existing local trains.

Senior Western Railway officials shared the details. According to them, the first step will be to assess how difficult it would be, technically and financially, to build an underground local train route, and whether it is feasible at all. If the construction department then receives sanctioned funds, a site survey will be carried out first and a report prepared.

If the findings of the study are encouraging and practical aspects emerge, a detailed project report will follow. The project will then be taken forward.

Western Railway currently runs 1,414 local train trips a day. Services remain under pressure because of the rising number of passengers. An underground rail network would bring a major benefit.

The plan will consider modern stations, entry and exit routes, and use designed around passenger convenience. Existing railway stations will also be taken into account, as will connectivity near metro stations and other factors.

Alongside Western Railway, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation will conduct a separate study. An international agency will study underground links for two key corridors: Churchgate to Virar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Parel.

The project is currently under consideration. Only after the survey will it be clear whether it will actually be built.