Mumbai: The much-awaited Vasai Bypass and Naigaon–Juchandra chord line project continues to face delays, with the crucial Joint Measurement Survey (JMS) yet to be conducted despite multiple land acquisition notifications and statutory approvals over the past two years. Railway officials said the final land acquisition process cannot move ahead until the survey is completed jointly with the Palghar district administration.
According to Western Railway, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ₹175.99-crore project was sanctioned by the Railway Board on July 14, 2023. A consultancy contract for preparing land plans, engineering surveys, environmental studies and obtaining statutory approvals, including mangrove clearances, was awarded on July 10, 2024.
Land acquisition proposals covering 3.77 hectares were submitted to the Palghar District Collector on August 20, 2024, followed by an additional proposal for 4.31 hectares on March 30, 2026, taking the total land requirement under acquisition to 8.08 hectares.
The acquisition process has progressed through various statutory stages. A Section 20A notification for the initial 3.77 hectares was issued on June 4, 2025, followed by the Section 20E declaration on June 4, 2026. Separately, a Section 20A notification for the additional 4.31 hectares was published in the Gazette of India on June 18, 2026. The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) has initiated further action and is expected to issue a letter to the TILR Office for preparation of the Joint Measurement Report (JMR) challan.
However, the key Joint Measurement Survey, which determines the exact ownership and extent of land required, has still not been carried out.
A senior Western Railway official told The Free Press Journal that the survey with the Palghar district administration is still pending.
"The Joint Measurement Survey has not yet been conducted. Once it is completed jointly with the district administration, the final land acquisition proposal can be processed further," the official said.
The survey is essential to establish whether the land belongs to the government, Railways or private owners, after which compensation proceedings and final acquisition can proceed.
Apart from land acquisition, the project also requires environmental clearances. A proposal seeking diversion of 14.10 hectares of mangrove land comprising 9.55 hectares for the Vasai Bypass project and 4.6311 hectares for stabling lines under MUTP-IIIA is currently under process.
Railway officials said mangrove marking was completed on May 2, 2026, followed by flag marking as directed by the Range Forest Officer (RFO), Palghar. The mangrove tree marking report was submitted to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DFO), Thane on June 1, 2026, after which the DFO directed a joint site inspection on July 1, 2026. Subsequently, the RFO submitted the report and cost estimate to the DFO on August 3, 2026, marking another milestone in the forest clearance process.
Meanwhile, planning approvals are also progressing. The Comprehensive Engineering Survey Plan (ESP) for Naigaon station, including stabling lines under MUTP-IIIA and the goods shed, is under divisional review. The L-section has already been approved by the division and is awaiting headquarters' approval, while the juchandra ESP has been pending approval with Central Railway's Mumbai Division since March 23, 2026.
The 5.73-km Vasai Bypass and Naigaon–Juchandra chord line, estimated to cost ₹175.99 crore, is expected to provide a direct rail connection between Western Railway and the Konkan Railway network. The bypass will enable trains from Mumbai to access the Konkan route without reversing at existing junctions, reducing travel time, easing congestion on the suburban network and improving freight movement.
Despite progress in statutory notifications, engineering approvals and environmental processing, the project remains held up by the pending Joint Measurement Survey, meaning physical land acquisition is yet to begin. While paperwork has advanced significantly since 2024, work on the ground cannot move forward until the survey is completed and the land acquisition process reaches its final stage.
The Free Press Journal contacted the Palghar district administration to ascertain the current status of the Joint Measurement Survey. However, no response was received till the time of filing this report.
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