Central Railway
Press Release
Ministry of Railways Approves New Chord Line Project Between Panvel-Somtane and Panvel-Chikhli
In a major development aimed at augmenting rail capacity and streamlining operations in the Mumbai region, the Ministry of Railways has approved the proposal for construction of Panvel Chord lines between Panvel–Somtane and Panvel–Chikhli, covering a total length of 7.54 km. The project, sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 444.64 crore, will be undertaken by Central Railway.
Panvel, a crucial terminal on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway, functions as a vital junction for multiple directions northbound to Diva, southbound to Roha, westbound to JNPT, and eastbound to Karjat. Currently, the absence of grade-separated crossings causes operational delays due to engine reversals.
To address these challenges, two chord lines have been proposed and now sanctioned:
•A chord line on the JNPT–Karjat corridor via the Diva–Panvel line flyover.
•A second chord line between Kalddunrigaon cabin and Somtane station.
These new links are expected to significantly enhance line capacity and reduce congestion, enabling smoother and faster movement of both passenger and freight trains.
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Date: May 24, 2025
PR No.2025/05/24
This press release is issued by the Public Relations Department, HQ, Central Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai