Cheaper real estate, wider and better roads, and greenery seems to be some of the reasons why the demand for houses in Navi Mumbai has risen. Figures representing the number of people using local trains on the Central line hint at such a rise. According to recent figures, the number of people travelling in local trains on the Central line has gone up from 43 lakh to 45 lakh. The numbers also include those, who travel to the satellite city, beyond Vashi and Airoli, and contribute to an average increase of over 8 per cent.
The number of daily commuters travelling between Vashi and Panvel has increased from 4.89 lakh to 5.32 lakh. Similarly, those taking the Trans Harbour line — which runs between Thane and Vashi — everyday, especially between Airoli and Sanpada, have increased from 2.19 lakh to 2.36 lakh.
The figures show that the railway stations of Belapur, Kharghar, Khandeshwar, Koparkhairane, Panvel, and Seawoods have all seen a double digit per cent growth in the number of commuters using the Harbour and Trans harbour lines. Nerul on the Harbour line witnesses the maximum footfall of 74,838 people each day, Airoli on the Trans Harbour line witnesses 60,959 footfalls daily. Not only residential but also commercial and industrial spaces have come up in Navi Mumbai. It is also known for the huge Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC).
"With an airport, the proposed CSMT-Panvel fast line, and the metro rail corridors coming up soon, more people are shifting to Navi Mumbai. The present rail network is nearing its saturation and with only two rail lines, it is difficult to maintain punctuality in case of any technical failures," said a Central Railway (CR) official.
Recently, the fourth corridor to Belapur/Nerul-Kharkopar was made operational which again connects interiors of Navi Mumbai. At present the CR operates 1,774 train services everyday; of which, 614 services run on the Harbour line, 262 services run on the Trans Harbour line, and 40 services run on the new rail corridor.
"We would want the CR to run more trains on the Harbour line. It gets too congested during peak hours as there is only a slow corridor," A Bhosale, a resident of Belapur, who travels all the way to CSMT, said.
STEEP RISE
- The number of daily commuters travelling between Vashi and Panvel has increased from 4.89 lakh to 5.32L
- Belapur, Kharghar, Khandeshwar, Kopar khairane stations have seen a double digit% growth in no. of users of the Harbour, Trans Harbour lines
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