05-05-2025
State OKs clearing over 29ha of forest land for 2 rly projects
Mumbai: The state govt has granted final approval to clear 29.32 hectares of forest land across Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts to pave the way for two critical railway infrastructure projects — the 5th and 6th lines between Borivli and Virar, and the 3rd line between Kalyan and Kasara.
The Western Railway stretch between Borivli and Virar will see 12.78 hectares of mangrove land cleared. This includes 3.68 hectares in Dahisar, 1.42 hectares in Penkar Pada in Thane, and 7.66 hectares in Umale village in Palghar. These lines will allow for dedicated corridors for suburban trains and long-distance mail/express services, reducing congestion and delays.
Meanwhile, the Central Railway's Kalyan–Kasara third line will require clearing 16.54 hectares of forest land across 17 villages in Thane district. These include reserved forests, rehabilitated private forests, and finally notified forest areas. The Chief Conservator of Forests granted conditional approval for the work, valid until Dec 5, 2025. The forest department mandated that natural water bodies, including rivers and streams, must remain unaffected during the project execution.
The Borivli–Virar 5th and 6th line project is being implemented by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation under the
Mumbai Urban Transport Project
(MUTP) 3A. It spans 26 kilometres and carries an estimated cost of Rs 2,184 crore. Once completed, it will provide segregated rail infrastructure for suburban and long-distance trains along one of the busiest corridors of the Western Railway.
The Kalyan–Kasara third line, which was sanctioned in Sep 2015, is expected to cost Rs 792 crore. The project is being executed by the Central Railway and is crucial for easing the pressure on the existing twin-line corridor, which handles a mix of local and long-distance traffic.
Work is also in progress for the fifth and sixth rail lines between Mumbai Central and Borivli. Ultimately, the Mumbai Central–Virar section will have six lines — three for suburban trains and three for mail/express services — greatly enhancing capacity and efficiency on this vital suburban and intercity rail corridor.
