Shiv Sena Urges Fast-Tracking of Rs 6,000 Crore Railway Projects in Thane Region
In a significant parliamentary intervention, the Shiv Sena has called for the expedited implementation of multiple railway projects collectively valued at nearly Rs 6,000 crore along the crucial Kalwa–Ambernath suburban corridor in Maharashtra. The party emphasized that delays in these initiatives would exacerbate the strain on an already overburdened rail network, directly impacting the daily commute of thousands.
MP Dr Shrikant Shinde Highlights Commuter Dependence in Lok Sabha
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the party's parliamentary leader and MP from Kalyan, Dr Shrikant Shinde, underscored the urgent need for capacity augmentation. He revealed that approximately 80% of commuters in his constituency rely exclusively on suburban rail services, making infrastructure upgrades an immediate necessity rather than a distant goal.
Dr Shinde pointed to the substantial scale of investments involved, noting that projects worth Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 crore are currently active in his constituency alone. These form part of a larger Rs 1.7 lakh crore railway outlay planned for Maharashtra, with Rs 23,000 crore specifically earmarked in the 2026–27 budget. A significant portion, Rs 800 crore, has been allocated solely for the remodelling of the Kalyan yard.
Critical Projects and Commuter Demands
The MP detailed several key projects requiring acceleration:
- Kalyan yard remodelling to enhance operational efficiency.
- The long-pending Kalwa–Airoli elevated corridor to reduce congestion.
- Additional corridors between Kurla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to decongest Mumbai's suburban lifeline.
He stressed that the Ambernath–Kalwa belt remains heavily dependent on local train services, necessitating immediate improvements. Specific demands include:
- Converting all local trains on the corridor to 15-coach services to increase capacity.
- Introducing new Diva–CSMT local services to expand connectivity.
- Improving the frequency of Kopar–Vasai trains to accommodate rising commuter density.
Broader Infrastructure Push and Commuter Relief
Dr Shinde argued that the benefits of Maharashtra's massive infrastructure investment must translate into tangible, immediate relief for daily commuters. He also advocated for additional Konkan-bound services and the restoration of concessions for senior citizens and journalists, highlighting the social dimensions of railway policy.
While work on the third and fourth lines between Kalyan and Ambernath is already underway, the MP emphasized that expediting complementary projects is equally critical to achieving a holistic decongestion of the network. The call to action underscores a pressing need to align large-scale budgetary allocations with on-ground execution to mitigate commuting hardships in the Thane region.
