Mumbai: After years of delays and logistical challenges, the long-awaited expansion of Mumbai’s suburban railway network between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kurla is finally set to move forward.

The Central Railway is preparing to begin demolition of structures at the Swadeshi Mill site, marking the clearance of the last major bottleneck in the 5th and 6th railway line project—an initiative that has remained stalled for nearly 17 years.

Final Hurdle Cleared After Rehabilitation Push

A key breakthrough in the project has been the successful rehabilitation of affected families by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

Officials confirmed that 714 Project Affected Persons (PAP) families have been allotted alternate housing, with relocation already underway. This step clears the path for demolition activities in the Chunabhatti–Dharavi stretch, which had long delayed progress.

Land acquisition across critical locations including Kurla and Vidyavihar has also been completed, with the process formally concluded earlier this year.

Demolition And Construction Timeline

Preparations for demolition are currently in the final stage, with arrangements for:

• Machinery and equipment
• Deployment of manpower
• Security support from Railway Protection Force and local police

Authorities expect the demolition work to be completed within a month, after which construction will begin in phases.

Importantly, infrastructure planning has already accounted for the expansion. The upcoming Prabhadevi bridge has been designed to accommodate the additional lines, ensuring seamless integration without future disruptions.

A Crucial Upgrade Under MUTP-II

The project was originally sanctioned under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project with the aim of decongesting one of the busiest rail corridors in the world.

Once operational:

The 5th and 6th lines will handle mail, express, and freight trains

The existing 3rd and 4th lines will be dedicated exclusively to suburban services

This segregation is expected to significantly improve efficiency, punctuality, and capacity across the network.

Impact On Mumbai’s Lifeline

Currently, Central Railway operates around 1,820 suburban train services daily on this corridor, carrying nearly 38 lakh passengers. The mixing of long-distance and suburban trains often leads to delays and operational constraints.

With the addition of new lines:

• Suburban services are expected to become more reliable
• Travel time and congestion could reduce significantly
• Long-distance train movement will be streamlined

A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

The project’s progress marks a turning point for Mumbai’s transport infrastructure, where land acquisition and rehabilitation have historically slowed major developments.

By resolving these challenges, authorities are now closer to delivering a project that has been in the pipeline for nearly two decades.

Looking Ahead

As demolition begins and construction gears up, the CSMT–Kurla expansion is set to play a vital role in future-proofing Mumbai’s rail network.

For millions of daily commuters, this long-delayed project is not just another infrastructure upgrade—it represents a much-needed step toward a more efficient and less congested travel experience.