Harbour extension by mid-2017: Railways

Mumbai: The railways has started vigorous work to extend Harbour line from Andheri to Borivali and cleared most of the shanties that were in the way. So this section is now expected to be operational by mid-2017.

This is important since even though the tender for the same was awarded in March this year, the necessary work was being carried out at a snail’s pace. After most of the shanties that were causing a problem for railway workers at Jogeshwari were demolished, the railways is now positive about making the Rs 20-crore project operational by the middle of next year.

A railway official said on the condition of anonymity, “At first, we couldn’t even start work like clearing up the area on which the track is to be built. But we have now been able to level the ground and begin to mark the path for the tracks on this section.”

Adding that a mid-2017 deadline seems feasible, the official further said, “Currently, there are two services that are run from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) to Borivali in the morning and night. But the trains shift track at Andheri from the Harbour line to the western line, for which a special track has been made. When the line is completed, however, we will be able to run uninterrupted services between CST and Panvel to Borivali.”