A major factor delaying the project is the rehabilitation of some 450 encroachers living along the proposed lines.
Another vital rail project, which has been progressing at snail's pace since 2008, is the laying of new lines between Thane and Diva stations. The cost of the project has escalated by more than 375% and it is now on its fourth deadline of December 2020. It was first expected to be completed by December 2015, then December 2017 and most recently, March 2019.
The 9km- stretch between Thane and Diva has four existing lines on to which six lines (Diva-Kalyan and Thane-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) converge, creating a bottleneck that obstructs and delays local suburban and outstation trains. Central Railway (CR) officials say this affects the punctuality of suburban service and 45 lakh commuters.
Work on two additional lines began 11 years ago but has been hindered by poor planning, encroachment and political backing to encroachers. Once they are operational, CR will be able to introduce 100 more services and also segregate express and local train services.
A major factor delaying the project is the rehabilitation of some 450 encroachers living along the proposed lines. Political interests and sub-plots have delayed land acquisition, but it has finally been done.
Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), which is carrying out this work, says 75% of it is complete. "The work on the rail bridge will be completed by December," said an official. This rail bridge after Mumbra is a crucial piece of the project. It bypasses the existing line to cross over the creek and the highway. The line from the end of the bridge to the new Kalwa station is complete, but work on the station itself is under process. Between Kalwa and Thane, work on major connecting bridges is complete, but ancillary works are pending.
The estimated cost of the project, which came under Mumbai Urban Transport Project-2 (MUTP-2), in 2008 was Rs 130 crore. It now stands at Rs 490 crore.
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