Once complete, outstation and goods trains will be diverted on to the newly constructed 5th and 6th lines that will help CR maintain punctuality
In what could provide a major relief to the commuters of the Harbour line in the coming years, the Central Railway (CR) managed to secure all the necessary permissions to start the work on the much delayed 5th and 6th lines between Kurla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) earlier this month.
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Once the 5th and 6th lines are constructed, long distance and goods trains would be directed on these lines. This will enable the CR to maintain its timetable. File pic for representation
The Rs 800-crore project is expected to commence by November and will be executed in two phases, for which tenders have already been floated, claimed sources. Moreover, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for a kilometre-long elevated rail bridge, aligning with the existing line, between Chunabhatti and Tilak Nagar stations.
The bridge will start from the north end of Chunabhatti and culminate at the south end of Tilak Nagar station. “Harbour line platforms and tracks will become elevated, like that at the Sandhurst Road station,” said a CR official.
Project execution
CR officials said the project would be executed in two phases: Kurla to Parel and Parel to CST. For the completion of Phase-I, CR needs 8,000 sq m land between Sion and Matunga and 6,500 sq m land between Currey Road and CST for the Phase-II.
Benefits
Once the 5th and 6th lines are constructed, long distance and goods trains would be directed on these lines. This will enable the CR to maintain its timetable. At present, diversion of outstation and goods train delay trains on the suburban network by 7 to 10 minutes.
Rs 800 crore
Cost of constructing the 5th-6th lines between Kurla and CST
Rs 100 crore
Construction cost of the elevated bridge between Chunabhatti and Tilak Nagar