The Indian Railways has sought 13.61 hectares of salt pan land for laying two additional tracks on the Borivali-Virar corridor, which will be used to segregate suburban and long-distance mail trains up to Virar. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) will construct the additional rail lines under Phase-3A of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).
The land is in the Vasai-Virar belt. A proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Commerce through the Railway Board and the salt commissioner, Mumbai. The site visit is complete, and the proposal is under process for necessary approvals.
The two additional rail lines, being built at a cost of Rs 2,184 crore, will ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions.
MRVC has already awarded contracts for the construction of service buildings, quarters and related infrastructure at Mira Road, Dahisar, Naigaon, Vasai and Bhayander. Some structures in these areas have been relocated, while work and modification of foot overbridges and platforms is underway.
The move comes after the Bombay High Court approved the removal of 2,612 mangroves for this corridor.