Central Railway (CR) plans to extend the fifth and sixth lines between CSMT and Parel, which may result in terminating Harbour line services at Sandhurst Road to reallocate platforms. CR will demolish Byculla's express corridor platforms to accommodate new tracks, removing express train stops between CSMT and Dadar. Platforms 1 and 2 at CSMT and Masjid will accommodate Main Line services. Current extensions between Kurla and Parel face land acquisition challenges. Earlier proposals included alternative alignments and additional stations but required unacquired land. These expansions aim to enhance operations and manage increased traffic in Mumbai's rail network.
If Central Railway (CR) proceeds with its plan to lay the fifth and sixth lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Parel, it may terminate Harbour Line services at Sandhurst Road. This change would allocate Harbour platforms and tracks between CSMT and Masjid station for the new CSMT-Parel lines. Additionally, CR plans to dismantle the express corridor platforms at Byculla to make room for the new tracks, leading to the elimination of express train stops between CSMT and Dadar.
Sources indicate the proposals are under serious consideration, with feasibility checks in progress. The plan involves using platforms 1 and 2 at CSMT and Masjid for CR's Main Line services, meaning that all suburban network platforms at CSMT, from 1 to 7, will serve the Main Line. Currently, fifth and sixth lines exist between Kalyan and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and work is underway to extend them between Kurla and Parel. However, authorities have debated their alignment between Parel and CSMT due to the need for land acquisition, especially private land.
A CR official explained that the Railways Act permits land acquisition, but the process is time-consuming and costly, potentially rendering the project unfeasible. A decade ago, CR proposed an alternative alignment for the harbour line from Dockyard Road over the Eastern Freeway. The plan aimed to allocate exclusive space for the fifth and sixth lines from Kurla to CSMT at both Masjid and Sandhurst Road. At that time, the proposal included building two sister stations at Masjid and Sandhurst Road to provide interchange points for both Main and Harbour lines.
The proposal suggested terminating Harbour Line trains at CSMT on a deck at the existing platforms 17 and 18. This plan also required land from Mumbai Port Trust, which lacked interest in the proposal. Additionally, MMRDA planned to extend its Metro 4 corridor (Wadala-Thane) to CSMT via PD'Mello Road, sparking discussions about avoiding duplication of railway lines, according to a CR official. The existing infrastructure and expansion plans reflect CR's strategic initiatives to address the growing demand and improve efficiency in Mumbai's rail network.
By reconfiguring and expanding its tracks, CR aims to streamline operations and accommodate increased traffic. Ultimately, CR's plans to upgrade and expand its rail lines demonstrate a commitment to adapting to the city's evolving transportation needs. With careful consideration of feasibility and strategic planning, CR seeks to implement changes that will benefit commuters and contribute to the overall improvement of Mumbai's transportation infrastructure.
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