The Panvel-Karjat rail corridor, as part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3), achieved a breakthrough with the completion of the 320mt Kirawali Tunnel on March 30. The tunnel traverses through the hardest kind of Class-3 rocks which are very difficult to bore through.
Key Tunnel Milestones In Panvel-Karjat Rail Corridor Project
The project comprises three tunnels, collectively spanning an impressive 3,164mt. The Nadhal Tunnel achieved a breakthrough on May 10 last year. The second, Wavarle Tunnel, is the longest at 2,625mt, where substantial progress has been made with underground excavation completed for 2,425mt on April 2. Kirawali is the third tunnel in the project.
Panvel-Karjat Corridor's Transition To Double-Line System And Commuter Benefits
Currently the section operates on a single-line, limiting capacity and causing congestion during peak hours. The ongoing conversion to a double-line corridor will help accommodate suburban services more efficiently and also provide commuters with alternate routes. It will significantly shorten the commute between CSMT and Karjat compared to the existing route via Kalyan. The corridor will comprise five stations – Mohope, Chowk, Karjat, Chikhale, and Panvel.
