After much delay, the work to extend the 5th and 6th rail lines beyond Vidyavihar towards Kurla has started. The extension is a part of the Kurla-Parel new lines that are being developed to segregate the suburban corridor from long-distance trains. For this, the Sion rail overbridge will be rebuilt to create more space for the additional two lines, said an official.

“Work on the 10.1 km between Kurla and Parel has begun on the ground at several patches wherever land is available. For example, at Kurla and Sion stations, works are at advanced stages of completion for segregating the line. What remains is land procurement from third parties and rebuilding of roads and rail bridges passing over the existing lines to accommodate two new lines,” a top railway official said. “The first major thing to be soon taken up will be replacement of the Sion road overbridge. The bridge will be shut for traffic, it will need to be rebuilt to accommodate two new lines below it,” he said.