In good news for passengers, the sixth line between Mumbai’s Khar and Goregaon stations has been commissioned. The initiative will help in increasing more train services and improve punctuality, Western Railway said.
Releasing a statement, Western Railway said that the 8.8-kilometre stretch was successfully completed on November 5, after a speed trial of 112 kilometres per hour was conducted. Earlier, the Western Railway started the final work on October 7, which was conducted during the thirty-day block period. A number of trains were cancelled or blocked during the said period.
Work involved laying of 12 turnouts and three trap points
As per Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway. The work in the fifth line and both fast lines involved the laying of 12 turnouts and three trap points.
“The entire work involved laying of 12 turnouts and three trap points on the existing fifth line and both the fast lines. The work also comprised laying of eight turnouts on the new 6th line and dismantling of nine existing turnouts and three trap points from the existing line”, he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Speaking further, he said, “Independent connectivity to both 5th and 6th lines has been provided to Bandra Terminus yard after slewing of 700m of existing track and dismantling of five points, including a diamond crossing.”
Project to enhance line capacity
The step will help the Western Railway enhance line capacity, improving the punctuality of trains, adding more trains, and easing congestion. The project in the sixth line involved the acquisition of private land and government land (BMC). Apart from this, 27 new foot overbridges were constructed in lieu of existing FOBs that were infringing on the alignment.
Elaborating further, Thakur said that the existing railway structures have been dismantled as these were causing obstruction, and new structures have been constructed. Also, new flats have been constructed for railway employees, while close to 607 Project Affected People (PAPs) were rehabilitated.