Centre Approves Panvel Chord Lines And Rahuri–Shani Shingnapur Rail Project To Boost Connectivity And Cut Congestion

In a major development aimed at augmenting rail capacity and streamlining operations in the Mumbai region, the Ministry of Railways has recently approved the proposal for construction of Panvel Chord lines between Panvel–Somtane and Panvel–Chikhli, covering a total length of 7.54 km. The project, sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 444.64 crore, will be undertaken by Central Railway.

Panvel, a crucial terminal on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway, functions as a vital junction for multiple directions northbound to Diva, southbound to Roha, westbound to JNPT, and eastbound to Karjat. Currently, the absence of grade-separated crossings causes operational delays due to engine reversals.

To address these challenges, two chord lines have been proposed and have now been sanctioned. The first chord line is planned on the JNPT–Karjat corridor and will pass via the Diva–Panvel line flyover. The second chord line will run between Kalddunrigaon Cabin and Somtane Station

These new links are expected to significantly enhance line capacity and reduce congestion, enabling smoother and faster movement of both passenger and freight trains.

 New Rail Line Between Rahuri and Shani Shingnapur

The Ministry of Railways has also given its approval recently for the construction of a new rail line connecting Rahuri to Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra. The 21.84 km line will be developed at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 494.13 crore.

Shani Shingnapur, a prominent religious destination that draws between 30,000 to 45,000 devotees daily, currently lacks direct rail connectivity. The proposed line will greatly enhance access to this spiritual hub and facilitate smoother movement of pilgrims and tourists, especially from Rahuri and nearby regions.

The rail line is also expected to benefit other religious and tourist sites such as Shirdi, Rahu-Ketu Temple (Rahuri), Mohini Raj Temple (Nevasa), and Pais Khamb Karaveereswar Temple (Nevasa), thereby boosting local tourism and economy.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) proposes four pairs of passenger trains per day, with an estimated annual ridership of 18 lakh passengers. 

This development marks a significant milestone in improving infrastructure and connectivity to one of India’s most visited spiritual centers.