Union Cabinet approves MUTP III

In five years, commuters travelling between Kalyan and Vashi/Panvel won't have to break their journey , like they do now at Thane now. Besides, there will be more local trains between Churchgate and Dahanu Road.For, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-III on Wednesday .
According to railway officials, “The estimated cost of project is Rs.8,679 crore with the completion cost of Rs 10,947 crore. The project is expected to be completed in the next 5 years during the 13th Plan period.“
MUTP-III will augment tracks and provide amenities to prevent people from crossing tracks.
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation's (MRVC) chairman and managing director Prabhat Sahai said, “We will soon invite tenders for various works under MUTP-III so that the contractors are selected by the time we complete negotiations with the World Bank, which is likely to extend a loan.“ Both MUTP I and MUTP II are funded by the World Bank.
Under MUTP III, a 3-km long Airoli-Kawla link will be constructed at a cost of Rs.450 crore. It will provide commuters travelling between Kalyan and Panvel straight train, thus reducing congestion at Thane station. Now, Kalyan-Panvel passengers have to get down at Thane and take another train.
Besides, WR will quadruple the tracks between Dahanu Road and Virar. At present, WR's suburban services run on double line between Virar and Dahanu Road, which is a part of the main line Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi route. The main line is already oversaturated and there is no scope for supplementing suburban services on this line.
According to the railways, the construction of an additional double line between Virar and Dahanu Road will address the demand of commuters in this region. This will provide extension of suburban services from Churchgate to Dahanu Road.
Besides, the Panvel-Karjat double line project will be executed. This will provide alternative route between Karjat and CST via Panvel. It will be shorter by 23 km than the existing route via Kalyan and will reduce slow trains' travel time between CST and Karjat by around 40 minutes.
Under MUTP-III, procurement of new coaches will enhance the quality of service and reduce congestion. The works proposed under trespass control at 22 locations are expected to significantly reduce trespass and provide safer environment for the public.