The Indian Railways has decided to build a new suburban terminus at Parel to decongest Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus as many offices have shifted from South Mumbai towards Central Mumbai.
Laying the foundation stone for the Parel terminus on Monday, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said the facility would take three years to complete. Parel, Mr. Prabhu added, had become the central point for Mumbai suburban travellers over the years and needed urgent attention.
The Parel terminus will consist of one terminal line with platforms on both sides and would be constructed at Rs. 51 crore.
Besides the widening of existing platforms, a central foot over bridge (FOB) connecting east to west, a skywalk connecting the south end FOB to the Carol Road overbridge, and elevated booking offices will be constructed.
The suburban terminus is part of the Mumbai Urban Vikas Project, Phase 2, for commissioning the fifth and sixth lines between Parel and Mumbai CST, which has been targeted for completion by 2021 at a cost of Rs. 436 crore.
Panvel terminus
Mr. Prabhu also laid the foundation stone for a long-distance terminus at Panvel. Three platforms along with foot overbridges and subways for evacuation of passengers are in the plan.
There will also be facilities for stabling trains besides four washing lines for maintaining coaches at Kalamboli near Panvel. Likely to start by March 2019, the terminal will be the first railway terminus for Navi Mumbai.
The Panvel terminus would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 154 crore. The cost of the Panvel terminus would be shared by Cidco and Railways. Tenders have already been awarded for earthwork, bridges, platforms and parking deck. Bids have been invited for work related to railway tracks.
The Panvel terminus primarily seeks to serve passengers going towards the south east and south of Mumbai with the Railways planning to double both the Panvel-Karjat single line section and the Konkan Railway.
