In a significant development for Mumbai's suburban rail network, the long-delayed construction of a new railway station between Thane and Mulund is set to resume soon. This assurance came directly from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Ministerial Assurance Revives Stalled Project
The breakthrough follows a meeting between the Railway Minister and Shiv Sena MPs Naresh Mhaske and Dr. Shrikant Shinde. The parliamentarians had approached Vaishnaw to highlight the prolonged delay in the crucial infrastructure project. Ashwini Vaishnaw assured them that he would personally ensure traction for the pending works, committing to an early restart.
MP Naresh Mhaske, who was part of the delegation, revealed that the primary reason for the delay was a lack of coordination between the railway ministry and officials from the Mumbai division. With the minister's direct intervention, this bureaucratic hurdle is expected to be cleared.
Soaring Costs and Project Vision
The financial scope of the project has undergone a dramatic change since its inception. Originally estimated at Rs 120 crore, the cost for the new suburban station has now more than doubled, escalating to approximately Rs 245 crore. Despite this steep rise, Minister Vaishnaw has confirmed that the Indian Railways will bear the entire financial burden of the project.
This new station was conceived and approved under the ambitious Thane Smart City initiative. Its core objective is to decongest the massively overcrowded existing Thane railway station, one of the busiest on the Central Railway line. Once operational, it will provide a much-needed alternate and easier rail connection for the residents of Thane and Mulund suburbs, significantly improving their daily commute.
Hope for Commuters and Next Steps
Expressing renewed optimism, MP Mhaske stated that with the railway minister's clear directive, the project is expected to gain rapid momentum. The assurance from the highest level of the railway administration has brought the project back from a state of limbo.
The resumption of work on the Thane-Mulund station is poised to be a major relief for lakhs of daily commuters. It represents a critical step in enhancing the capacity and efficiency of Mumbai's overburdened suburban rail system, aligning with the broader goals of urban development under the Smart City mission.
