Central Railway (CR) is set to bring major changes to Mumbai’s railway infrastructure. A new terminus at Parel is in the works, aiming to ease the heavy load on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). This proposal is part of a broader plan to improve suburban train operations and better manage the city’s bustling railway traffic.
New Terminus At Parel To Handle Long-Distance Trains
The Parel terminus is expected to make a significant difference. Currently, CSMT handles both suburban and long-distance trains, leading to frequent congestion. By introducing a new terminus at Parel, CR aims to shift some of the long-distance train operations away from CSMT. This will reduce the pressure on the historic station and improve the efficiency of suburban services.
This isn’t the first time CR has considered a new terminus at Parel. A similar proposal was put forward in 2016 but met with resistance from the CR workers’ union. The plan stalled after that. However, with renewed efforts and a refined proposal, CR officials are hopeful that the Railway Board will give its final approval this time.
Plans To Expand LTT
In addition to the Parel project, CR has also announced plans to expand the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). Currently, LTT has seven platforms and is one of Mumbai’s busiest railway stations, catering to around 70,000 passengers daily. The expansion will see the addition of four more platforms, significantly increasing the station’s capacity. Yadav stated that this move aims to enhance operational efficiency, particularly during peak seasons such as summer, when the number of travellers spikes.
LTT serves as the starting or ending point for 26 pairs of long-distance trains daily. With the addition of new platforms, the station will be able to handle more trains, thereby reducing congestion. This expansion is crucial for meeting the growing demand for rail travel in the city.
Central Railway is also focusing on other crucial upgrades. The ongoing remodelling of the Kalyan yard is set to accelerate, further boosting the station’s capacity to handle more trains and improve operations. Additionally, two more platforms at CSMT are being extended to accommodate 24-coach trains. This extension is expected to be completed by November, offering even more capacity for the station to manage the increasing number of long-distance trains.