CST-Panvel high-speed corridor gets past rly board

MUMBAI: The railway board is on the verge of seeking approval for the CST-Panvel high-speed corridor from the Niti Aayog, an indication that the invitation of bids for the project is not far now.
“The project has not met with any objections at the board level and it will be sent to Niti Aayog,” a senior Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) official said.
The railways had planned to kick off the bidding process by August 15, but it could not meet the deadline.The project is necessary to reduce the burden on the saturated Harbour line, which today operates only a slow corridor. The growth of Navi Mumbai and Panvel, and the proposed international airport and special economic zone will bring in a large number of commuters.
After the nod from the Niti Aayog, the MRVC will begin the process of inviting technical and financial bids. The project is likely to be executed on cash contract basis.
The MRVC has planned 11 stations on the 47-km corridor. The new alignment runs along Mansion Road instead of the earlier P D’Mello road.
The corridor is to start from CST, close to Platform No 18. It is to pass via Mansion Road and be back on railway land at Reay Road, from where it will follow the existing alignment till Mankhurd. It will be elevated till Kurla and at ground level from Mankhurd. As suggested by CIDCO, in Navi Mumbai the corridor will be along Palm Beach Road.
The frequency of services is likely to be four-and-half to five minutes.