Elevated track to end Harbour-line woes in Mumbai

When a train travels in the opposite direction of its designated route, it is technically termed as an accident. However, such ‘accidents' are a day-to-day norm on the Harbour line, especially at Wadala station, when trains going from Panvel to Andheri and vice-versa are forced to travel in the opposite direction after they reach the station, which is the merging point. The Central Railway (CR) authorities are now planning to construct an elevated rail bridge to put an end to these intentional accidents.

Representation Pic

The officials are keen on reducing the travel time of 10 lakh commuters travelling on the Harbour line daily by constructing a mini elevated bridge that will connect Chunabhatti and King's Circle railway stations.

CR authorities claimed that as per their plan, the ramp of the elevated bridge would start from Chunabhatti, pass via GTB Nagar and finally connect King's Circle station. Presently, Wadala station is the connecting point between King's Circle and GTB Nagar.

A CR official said, "Currently, when trains come to Wadala station from Panvel and head for Andheri, they have to wait before it leaves the station. This wastes a lot of time and so we are exploring the option of having an elevated rail bridge before Wadala."

Officials claimed the problem worsens when preference is given to trains going towards Andheri and Panvel from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), during which the other trains are forced to wait for anywhere between seven to 10 minutes at Wadala. Such trains either arrive on platform number 3 and 4.

Here the motorman and the guard change their positions from one-end of the train to other. "The rail bridge will ensure that trains move smoothly without wasting time at Wadala station," a CR official said.

Did you know?
>> Total number of CR services: 1,618
>>u00a0Number of train services on CST-Panvel/Andheri (Harbour line): 583
>>u00a0Number of train services on Panvel-Andheri route: 16