Western Railway has officially put into service the new 6th Line connecting Kandivali and Borivali. This move marks a significant milestone as it completes Phase-I of the larger Mumbai Central to Borivali 6th Line project. The section opened for traffic following a successful safety inspection conducted on January 18.
Project Completion and Timeline
The newly commissioned stretch measures 3.21 kilometers in length. Western Railway officials confirmed that the work was finished within the planned 30-day execution period. The Commissioner of Railway Safety gave the green light after a thorough inspection, allowing trains to start using the line immediately.
With this development, the entire Phase-I corridor from Bandra Terminus to Borivali is now fully operational. Earlier segments of this phase had already been completed and put into use. The section from Khar to Goregaon, covering 8.8 kilometers, was commissioned back in November 2023. Following that, the Goregaon to Kandivali stretch, spanning 4.54 kilometers, began operations in October 2024.
Operational Benefits and Future Plans
Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer for Western Railway, highlighted the advantages of this new infrastructure. He explained that the 6th Line creates a dedicated path for long-distance and non-suburban trains. This separation from suburban train movements is expected to significantly reduce congestion on existing lines.
The operational segregation promises to enhance punctuality across the network. By providing a dedicated corridor for long-distance trains, pressure on suburban tracks will ease. This improvement comes as welcome news for commuters who rely on one of India's busiest railway networks daily.
The project aims to strengthen line capacity and increase operational flexibility throughout the Mumbai suburban section. Railway authorities believe this infrastructure upgrade will lead to smoother train movements and better service reliability.
Project Phasing and Next Steps
The 6th Line project between Mumbai Central and Borivali is being implemented in multiple phases. Phase-I, now complete, covered the Bandra Terminus to Borivali section. Future phases will focus on extending the 6th Line southward from Bandra Terminus to Mumbai Central.
These subsequent phases continue the project's main objective: further separating long-distance and suburban traffic. The ultimate goal remains reducing congestion along the entire Western Railway corridor. Railway officials anticipate that the complete project will transform train operations in the Mumbai metropolitan region.
Commuters can expect gradual improvements in train schedules and reduced waiting times as the new line becomes fully integrated into daily operations. The Western Railway network serves millions of passengers, making such infrastructure developments crucial for urban mobility.
