- By Shubham Bajpai
- Tue, 13 May 2025 03:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karjat-Panvel Rail Line:The Central Railway has finalised a fourth line between Karjat and Panvel to double the existing corridor, in addition to the suburban line, which would boost the connectivity to the Navi Mumbai Airport, the Mid-Day reported.
Once completed, the line would bring Pune closer to Navi Mumbai Airport. The Karjat-Panvel Corridor stretches 29 km. The fourth line will cost around Rs 491 crore.
Confirming the development, a Central Railway spokesperson said, “A final Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Panvel–Karjat (Chowk) fourth line, covering a 29-km stretch, was finalised and submitted to the Railway Board on April 7. The cost of the project is estimated at around Rs 491 crore. The project aims to enhance suburban connectivity and reduce congestion on this crucial corridor.”
Currently, the Karjat-Panvel Corridor has only one operational line. It mainly caters to goods trains and a few long-distance passenger trains. The other two lines are being constructed and are poised to be completed by December this year. The under-construction line will be dedicated to suburban use only.
The fourth line will double the existing line. Once the fourth line gets completed, it will help in developing Panvel, Karjat, and NAINA (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area).
The official further added, "The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation is already constructing two lines between Panvel and Karjat, targeted for completion in December 2025, exclusively for suburban use. This new line will be in addition to that. With this addition, connectivity between the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and Pune—a key software and education hub—will be greatly improved."
According to Mid-Day, the project is taking shape under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3), and it will prove to be a game changer. Reportedly, the Central Railway had kept three local trains ready for operations on the Karjat-Panvel corridor.