Railways Seek 13.61 Hectares for Borivali-Virar Expansion

MUMBAI: In a strategic move to enhance the capacity of the Borivali-Virar railway corridor, the Indian Railways has formally requested 13.61 hectares of salt pan land. This request aims to facilitate the laying of two additional tracks, which will be integral in segregating suburban trains from long-distance mail trains up to Virar. This development follows a recent Bombay High Court ruling that sanctioned the removal of 2,612 mangroves for the same railway corridor.

The proposal for acquiring the salt pan land has been submitted to the Ministry of Commerce through the Railway Board and the Salt Commissioner of Mumbai. An official from the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) indicated that the site visit has been completed and the proposal is currently in the process of obtaining necessary approvals. The land in question is located within the Vasai-Virar belt. The planned expansion, costing ₹2,184 crore, is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce emissions, and improve fuel efficiency.

To offset the environmental impact, the railways have committed to planting 7,823 mangroves in Sandor village, situated in Vasai taluka. This reforestation effort is intended to counterbalance the removal of mangroves around the Vashi Creek bridge, as permitted by the recent court order. The MRVC is advancing with various facets of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), particularly phase-3A. Contracts have been awarded for the construction of service buildings, staff quarters, and other essential infrastructure at Mira Road, Dahisar, Naigaon, Vasai, and Bhayander. Some existing structures have been relocated to accommodate the expansion, while construction and modification of foot overbridges and platforms are progressing.

Additionally, tenders for building bridges, road overbridges, and associated earthworks were issued in June. This expansion project underscores the Indian Railways’ ongoing commitment to improving transport infrastructure while navigating the environmental considerations associated with such large-scale developments. The balancing act between infrastructural growth and environmental preservation remains a critical focus as the project advances.