Navi Mumbai: The Central Railway has confirmed plans for a new fourth rail line connecting Karjat and Panvel, aimed at enhancing connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This 29-km route is expected to facilitate a direct link between the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Pune, with the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted to the Railway Board on April 7, 2023, at an estimated cost of ₹491 crore. The project intends to alleviate congestion on the busy Karjat-Panvel corridor, thereby improving suburban train services.
This new rail line will work in tandem with two additional suburban lines currently being developed by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, scheduled for completion by December 2025. The existing line predominantly caters to freight and limited long-distance passenger services, and the new line will duplicate the current infrastructure to enhance capacity and decrease travel times.
The revised suburban corridor is expected to include some of the longest bridges and tunnels within the Mumbai network. The initiative is part of the broader Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3), which aims to revolutionize transportation options in the region. Central Railway is also preparing three local trains for this corridor.
Overall, the new rail line is anticipated to significantly improve transportation links, making the Navi Mumbai airport more accessible for travelers from Pune and enhancing overall connectivity in the MMR, particularly benefiting the evolving regions of Panvel, Karjat, and the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).
