The Maharashtra government’s infrastructure drive in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will see a major expansion of suburban railway corridors on both Central and Western Railways, with new lines planned to improve airport and port connectivity.

The Union Railway Ministry has instructed both zones to conduct feasibility surveys for new lines connecting Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), segregating suburban and long-distance services, and building a new rail link from Dahanu to the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar—touted as India’s largest port.

On the Central Railway, surveys will focus on new links to NMIA via two proposed spurs: a 4-km line from Khandeshwar station on the CSMT-Panvel Harbour line and a 1-km stretch from Targhar on the Seawoods-Uran corridor. The combined survey cost for these is Rs 1 million.

The ministry has also called for studies on a 75-km third line between Panvel and Roha, and additional lines between Asangaon and Kasara as well as Badlapur and Karjat, with the latter approved under the PM Gati Shakti scheme. This Rs 15.1 billion project under MUTP-3A will decongest traffic and increase suburban train frequency, especially in Badlapur, Ambarnath and Ulhasnagar.

On the Western Railway, surveys will be conducted for a new line linking Dahanu and Vadhavan Port. The port is expected to be a key node in the dedicated freight corridor, promising long-term industrial benefits.

With this strategic expansion, the railways are exploring integrated connectivity for airports and ports for the first time via suburban networks, supporting the state’s vision of a more efficient, multimodal transport system in MMR.