by datta Nighut 
MUMBAI UNDERGROUND LOCAL TRAIN PROJECT MUMBAI’S MOST EXPENSIVE LOCAL RAIL UPGRADE YET CSMT से PAREL तक बनेगा रेल सुरंग मार्ग !
Mumbai’s First Underground Local Train Route May Soon Become a Reality
Mumbai, known as the financial capital of India, relies heavily on local trains. Millions of people travel daily using this lifeline. But did you know that a large part of Mumbai’s railway network still runs on the same infrastructure that the British left behind?
No Major Changes for Years
After the British left, the railway lines within Mumbai remained almost untouched for decades. As the city expanded and the population grew, the pressure on the existing railway lines increased. But no major upgrades or new lines were added for a long time.
Why Didn’t Development Happen Earlier?
The main reason was that the Mumbai suburban railway is controlled by the Ministry of Railways under the central government. Even though the local government and Mumbai Municipal Corporation wanted to improve the system, they couldn’t make changes because the network didn’t fall under their control—even if they had the budget to do so.
MRVC Brought a Solution
Things began to change with the formation of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). It is a joint venture between the central and state governments, with both contributing 50% of the funding. This made it easier to plan and implement railway expansion and improvement projects in the city.
New Trains and Stations Marked the Beginning
In 2007–08, new Siemens and Bombardier local trains were introduced. Since then, many stations were upgraded, tracks were doubled and quadrupled, and new lines were planned. Today, several projects are in progress to add more stations and expand existing tracks.
Now, It’s Time for an Underground Route
For the first time in Mumbai’s railway history, an underground route is being planned. This route will run between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Parel, adding two new lines—the 5th and 6th lines—to the network.
Why Are These New Lines Needed?
The stretch between CSMT and Parel is extremely crowded. With increasing passenger numbers, there is a need to run more trains. But due to space limitations and expensive land in South Mumbai, an underground solution is being considered.
Project Details
This underground route will be around 7.4 kilometers long and run 20–25 meters below ground. This means the project won’t require much land acquisition or affect existing roads and buildings, making it less disruptive for the city.
What Will It Cost?
Initially, the project was estimated to cost around ₹1000 crore. However, due to rising land costs and legal complexities, the cost might now go up to ₹3000 crore.
How Will the Tunnel Be Built?
Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) will be used to dig underground tunnels. Land near CSMT and Parel is already available with the railways, especially near PD’mello Road and Parel’s railway workshops. These spaces can be used to launch the TBMs.
Metro Connectivity – A Big Plus
This new underground line can also connect with Mumbai Metro Line 11 (Wadala to CSMT) and Metro Line 3 (Colaba to CSMT). This will allow seamless travel between local trains and metro services, making commuting smoother.
Current Status of the Project
Right now, the project is in the early planning stage. Some preliminary meetings have taken place between MRVC and Central Railways. A consultant will soon be appointed to carry out technical feasibility studies.
Cost Estimates Over the Years
- Initial Sanctioned Cost (2008): ₹890 crore
- Revised Estimate: ₹1337 crore
- Latest Estimate (Early Stage): ₹3000 crore
Key Challenges
- Land acquisition is a major issue.
- Many old buildings and settlements lie along the route.
- Legal processes may delay progress.
- Technically, the project is complex because it will run beneath the city and the existing railway lines.
But the Benefits Are Huge
- Train frequency can be increased.
- Passenger crowding will reduce.
- Since it’s underground, surface-level traffic won’t be disturbed.
- Direct connectivity between metro and local trains.
- Will set the stage for more underground routes in the future.
Conclusion
This project could be a game-changer for Mumbai. For the first time, a part of the city’s local train system will go underground. This will not only ease passenger pressure but also upgrade Mumbai’s transport infrastructure to meet future needs. If the plan goes through successfully, Mumbai will enter a new phase of urban mobility.
