Mumbai Local Train: 48 Commuter Groups Push For More Tracks, Meet Ravindra Chavan With Key Demands | Mumbai-news News
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Commuter organisations seek quicker work on Kalwa-Airoli link, additional tracks, new shuttle services and upgraded signalling across the Mumbai-Thane network
The meeting comes amid continued demands from Mumbai and Thane commuters for additional rail infrastructure as the suburban network faces pressure from large numbers of daily passengers.
MUMBAI: Representatives of 48 passenger organisations raised expanding the capacity of Mumbai’s suburban railway network and improving connections across the Mumbai-Thane region as key issues at a meeting with Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan in Dombivli.
The delegation met Chavan at Dombivli Gymkhana and submitted a memorandum listing infrastructure and service-related concerns affecting suburban rail passengers. The discussions covered additional rail capacity, passenger safety, connectivity and measures to enable more frequent local train services.
Kalwa-Airoli Link Among Key Demands
One prominent demand was the speedy completion of the Kalwa-Airoli rail link. Passenger groups said the connection would provide an additional rail route between the Thane and Navi Mumbai sides and improve travel options for commuters.
The organisations also called for faster progress on the proposed third and fourth lines between Badlapur and Karjat, as well as additional line capacity on the Kalyan-Kasara corridor.
Another request was for shuttle services connecting Thane with Karjat and Kasara. The passenger groups said additional services on these routes could offer commuters more direct travel options.
Commuters Seek Modern Signalling
The delegation also highlighted the role of signalling in increasing the capacity of the suburban network. It sought modern signalling systems that could reduce the headway between successive local trains, potentially allowing services to operate at shorter intervals.
Better direct connectivity between Diva, Vasai and Panvel was another demand raised during the meeting. The groups also sought additional infrastructure capacity at Kalyan Junction and improvements along the rail corridor towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Chavan Assures Follow-Up
After receiving the memorandum, Ravindra Chavan said the issues would be pursued with the relevant authorities and at the government level. He said efforts would focus on improving railway capacity, passenger safety and direct connectivity, while also pushing for progress on pending infrastructure projects.
The meeting comes amid continued demands from Mumbai and Thane commuters for additional rail infrastructure as the suburban network faces pressure from large numbers of daily passengers.
The delegation included Kalyan-Dombivli deputy mayor Rahul Damle, along with Bhalchandra Lohakare, Navre Kaka, Madhutai Kotian, Latatai Argade, Nandkumar Deshmukh, Anitatai, Vandanatai Sonawane, Siddhesh Desai and Aniket Ghamandi.
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Ask News18Representatives from 48 commuter groups met with Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan to demand the speedy completion of the Kalwa-Airoli link, third and fourth lines between Badlapur and Karjat, additional capacity on the Kalyan-Kasara corridor, and modern signalling systems to reduce train headways and increase network capacity.
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Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @…Read More
September 29, 2026, 14:39 IST
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