The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is looking to augment the existing corridor between Vasai and Panvel via Diva. The MRVC officials have prepared a plan and will be making efforts to ensure that it is included in the Union Budget.

The move will provide a boost to areas adjoining the corridor, which are not connected by the city’s suburban network. MRVC has submitted the plan to the Central Railway and the state government.

MRVC proposes to install automatic signalling on the section between Vasai and Diva and build 4.5 km long chord line between Nilaje and Kopar. The new chord line will cut the journey time of trains travelling between Vasai and Panvel by around 15 to 20 minutes.

MRVC was initially planning to build a new suburban rail corridor between Virar and Panvel at an approximate cost of Rs 6,500 crore under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3A (MUTP 3A). However, lack of funds led to the project being shelved from MUTP 3A. A revised proposal to build the corridor from Vasai was also not considered by the Railway Ministry.

According to a new plan, the project will cost Rs 1,087 crore and take four years for completion. Eleven additional stations are proposed to be developed and air-conditioned locals will operate on the corridor. At present, the corridor is used by long-distance passenger trains and a few mainline electric multiple unit services.

The corridor will also provide rail connectivity to industrial areas such as Bhiwandi and Taloja.