Mahim - Santacruz 5th line update

The much- delayed fifth line between Mahim and Santacruz stations on the Western Railway (WR) is likely to be commissioned next month.
The new line will run parallel to the existing suburban lines. Once it becomes operational, outstation and goods trains can run directly between Mumbai Central and Borivli stations without hampering suburban services.
Fifth lines have already been in place on the Mumbai Central-Mahim stretch and the Santacruz-Borivli stretch since 1993 and 2002 respectively. However, the link between Mahim and Santacruz was missing, affecting suburban local train movement.
Except for a few unfinished works, this three-kilometre line is almost complete and is waiting only for a safety certificate.
The project is part of the World Bank-funded phase-I of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), undertaken to strengthen suburban rail transport and road transport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Currently, about 100 longdistance and goods train ply on the WR every day.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs.59 crore and it was supposed to be completed by the end of 2010, but got delayed because of changes in the original alignment, acquisition of land and the rehabilitation of the affected people.
Railway officials said the fifth line will also improve train movement to the Bandra yard. Instead of passing via platform number one of Bandra terminus, the fifth line will help trains enter the railway yard near the harbour line bridge.
However, WR officials said a sixth line between Mumbai Central and Borivli could still take some time to become a reality. This was planned to completely segregate suburban and outstation train operations.