The Maharashtra government is pushing hard for better rail connectivity via a fast corridor from south Mumbai to the new international airport planned at Navi Mumbai. It has proposed a special purpose vehicle with the Indian Railways to execute and implement this project, which will have fully air-conditioned train services. The project cost has been estimated at Rs 1,500 crore for the 60-odd km line. Lack of a rail link between the airport site and south Mumbai prompted chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to expedite the project. The state government on Tuesday sought World Bank aid to fund the project. T C Benjamin, principal secretary in the urban development department, made a detailed presentation of the conceptual plan before senior World Bank officials, which reportedly got a positive reception. The World Bank is already financing part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Part I and II, which involve capacity expansion on the suburban rail system. The fast corridor will originate from Carnac Bunder adjacent to CST on P D’Mello Road, said a senior railway official. The line can either be elevated or go underground between Carnac Bunder and Sewri, from where it will run along the ground parallel to the existing harbour line. “A new bridge will have to be built over Vashi bridge to connect the line to Navi Mumbai,” said the railway official and added the CM has given an assurance that additional FSI will be allowed for commercial use to make the project financially viable. The stations and other finer details are still to be finalised. Railway officials said they have been assured by the government that project-affected persons will be taken care of. Once the project is approved, a feasibility study will ascertain fare and the duration of services.
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