Mumbai:
The long-awaited work on laying down a sixth line between Borivali and Mumbai Central stations has started after Railway Board last month sanctioned a sum of Rs 930 crore for the project, an official said on Friday.
The actual work of executing the 30-km project has begun with the tendering process set in motion, said the official of Western Railway (WR).
"After deliberations, Railway Board sanctioned the budget (Rs 930 crore) and officials have swung into the action to execute the project," said Shailendra Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM).
"Once completed, this line from Mumbai Central to Borivali will be exclusively used by outstation trains, thereby allowing increase in frequency of suburban services and improvement in punctuality," he added.
A vital plan of Mumbai Urban Transport Project-2 (MUTP), this venture had been riddled with technical hurdles, which officials believe will now get cleared.
"A major stumbling block was clearing the land between Santacruz and Borivali stations. This has been achieved," he said.
This project is being considered as one of the most difficult and costly ventures for Railway. Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, the implementing agency, would be incurring a cost of at least Rs 930 crore, that is Rs 31 crore per km.
The plan envisages demolishing a rail bridge between Bandra and Khar Road stations, said another official involved with the project.
WR officials said acquiring land on various stretches on this section would be a major hurdle and they are in touch with the Suburban Collector, the State Government and civic body to resolve this issue.