Central Railway has commissioned the 13.53-km Khardi-Kasara third line, a key section of the Kalyan-Kasara third line project that is expected to ease congestion and improve train operations on one of Mumbai’s important suburban and regional rail corridors.
The line was cleared for train operations at 100 kmph after the Commissioner of Railway Safety inspected it on October 17 and 18. A speed trial conducted during the process reached 117 kmph. According to Central Railway, the CRS appreciated the quality of construction, track work and safety arrangements on the newly completed section.
The commissioning followed a 12-hour traffic block on the intervening night of October 17 and 18. During the block, railway authorities completed major track connections and remodelled the Kasara yard to integrate the new line into the existing network.
The project required the construction of an electrified railway line through hilly terrain. It also involved strengthening and extending bridges, extensive earthwork, and upgrades to signalling and electrification systems. Work was additionally carried out at the Khardi and Kasara yards to support the new track and its connection with existing railway operations.
The Kalyan-Kasara corridor serves suburban passengers travelling towards the northeastern edge of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and beyond. Its infrastructure is also used by freight services. The addition of a third line is intended to provide greater operating capacity by allowing passenger and freight movements to be managed across additional track infrastructure.
Central Railway said the newly commissioned section is expected to improve punctuality and increase capacity for both passenger and freight trains once the entire Kalyan-Kasara third line project is completed. The latest commissioning therefore marks an operational milestone, but the expected corridor-wide benefits remain linked to the completion of the remaining sections of the larger project.
