Centre, Maharashtra Government Set Up Panel To Link Mumbai's Metro and Suburban Railway Systems: Report

The Centre and Maharashtra government have constituted a committee to integrate Mumbai’s suburban railway and metro networks in a bid to streamline public transport and improve commuter experience across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Indian Express reported.

The move is reportedly aimed at ensuring better coordination among multiple transport agencies and seamless last-mile connectivity between local train and metro stations. 

The committee will comprise representatives from key organisations, including Central Railway, Western Railway, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), MahaRail, and the Urban Development Department.

MMRDA, which oversees metro development in the Mumbai Metropolitan region, will reportedly chair the committee.

In a letter to MRVC on Thursday (10 July), Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Director at the Railway Board, stressed the need for improved coordination between the metro and suburban rail systems.

A senior MRVC official cited in the IE report said the committee would identify pedestrian bridges, subways, or other alternatives to physically connect metro corridors that pass through or near railway stations.

“The committee will suggest pedestrian bridges, subways, or alternatives to connect metro lines running through or close to railway station locations. It will also see that there is clarity on which agency will undertake the construction,” the official was quoted as saying by IE.

The Mumbai suburban rail network currently extends from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Karjat, Kasara, Panvel, and Dahanu Road via multiple corridors.

Meanwhile, three metro lines, Metro 1, 2A, and 7, are operational, with several more under construction as part of a planned 300-plus km integrated metro network aimed at decongesting the overburdened local train system.

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