Mumbai's population moving northwards: Railways

Mumbai’s rail commuting population is moving further down to the city’s far-off suburbs and new industrial hubs. Latest statistics officially released by Central Railway on Monday show stations like Panvel and Kanjur Marg have recorded the highest growth rate, though Thane has shown maximum earnings in terms of money.

The shift in population to Navi Mumbai and Panvel is recorded in railway statistics with Panvel station registering 11.07% growth in ticket sales in 2010-11. The ticket sales in 2010-11 stood at Rs14.63 crore as against the total earning of Rs13.18 crore in 2009-10. Panvel has become a hot-bed of activity with new townships and the airport coming up.

The station is a terminus for the Konkan Railway trains too. Kanjur Marg has registered a 14% increase in earnings from ticket sales in 2010-11. As against the total earning of Rs8.8 crore in 2009-10, the station registered sale of tickets worth Rs10.05 crore in 2010-11.

A senior official said that Kanjur Marg has seen huge growth with the relief and rehab settlements of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project coming up there. Besides, Kanjur Marg has seen a lot of real estate development with numerous call centres and small IT firms coming up just next to the station.

Thane station has earned the distinction of registering highest earnings of Rs48.92 crore from ticket sales in 2010-11 as against Rs45.72 crore in 2009-10 showing 7% growth. Kurla, once a major junction, has witnessed a marginal drop of 1.07% in ticket and season pass ticket sales.