Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the master plan for redevelopment of Borivali, Ambala and Mangaluru with senior railway officials and the Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu. He emphasised that works must be carried out so that passengers face no inconvenience and train operations are not disrupted. The minister directed that redevelopment should deliver future-ready infrastructure while maintaining efficient daily station functioning.

The review addressed congestion and sought to create capacity for future growth through additional platforms, wider foot overbridges, improved inter-platform transfers, more entry points and better multimodal integration. Officials were instructed to consult MPs, MLAs, local bodies and state governments so that local requirements inform final plans. The meeting prioritised a design philosophy focused on quality, durability and passenger convenience and discussed precast components to speed execution.

Borivali, a major interchange on Western Railway, handles 191 long-distance and about 1,200 suburban services daily and caters to approximately 0.365 million (mn) passengers. The redevelopment proposal includes one additional platform, expanded concourses, extra lifts and escalators, improved shelters and skywalk connectivity to facilitate seamless transfers. Kandivali, about 2 km away, will be developed in parallel with multi-level parking, dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones and transit-oriented development to ease congestion.

Ambala Cantonment serves 328 trains and more than 44,000 passengers daily and has a proposal for two new full-length platforms and a 12-metre-wide foot overbridge with additional escalators and lifts. Plans include refurbishment of existing platforms, new platform sheds and surface parking to improve circulation and accessibility. The measures aim to enhance capacity, reduce congestion and provide a safer, more comfortable travel experience.

Mangaluru Central currently handles more than 28,000 passengers and about 50 trains daily and is proposed to receive two new full-length platforms, platform upgrades, a 6-metre-wide foot overbridge, improved shelters and additional escalators and lifts. The redevelopment is intended to improve accessibility for senior citizens and Divyangjan passengers, bolster regional connectivity and support economic development. Officials said the proposals will proceed to detailed examination and stakeholder consultations before implementation.