Mumbai: The Indian Railways have planned to convert Panvel station into Panvel Terminus which is expected to take load off CSMT, Kurla LTT and Dadar railway stations. Senior railway official said they have planned to make Panvel a hub for the future and the total cost of the project will be Rs 154 crore. The idea of converting Panvel into terminus comes after the railway introduced a new suburban rail corridor connecting Navi Mumbai, Navi Mumbai airport and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.
“The Raigad district will soon upgrade in the years to come, for this the rail network needs to be created. In the near future Panvel will play an important role. Permission for CSMT-Panvel elevated corridor too has got permission,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.The elevated corridor, according to the Railways, will take people on this 60 kms route from CSMT in 50 minutes which otherwise takes 80 minutes or more. At present there are only two rail tracks on the Harbour line and so the need.
The work of the project is underway and nearly 50 percent of work of phase I is completed. “The estimated budget for the project is Rs 154 crore in which CIDCO will bear 2/3rd of the cost while remaining will be borne by Railways. The terminus,” added official. In the first phase, there shall be new platforms to accommodate longer trains, foot over bridges and escalators. Apart from Harbour line, more than 54 long-distance trains pass through this station every day.