Mumbai: A neglected patch of railway land with debris between Jogeshwari and Ram temple stations is scheduled for a major upgradation. Western Railway (WR) has identified this site-a dumping ground-new-generation Vande Vande Vande Vande for the first dedicated depot of Mumbai and Wande Sleeper trains, a dumping ground-nisted coaches and a dumping ground for railway materials.
Senior WR officials confirmed that the initial work on the project would soon begin. Once operated, the depot will initially complete 5–10 trains and will eventually stabilize the service and 50 high-speed trains. These Wande series trains, designed to run at a speed of 160 km per hour, are part of Indian Railways push to modernize and reduce travel time on major intercity routes.
“We have identified a six -acre land parcel between Jogeshwari and Ram temple stations.
Indian Railways has asked both western and Central Railway to identify places especially for Vande India depots. While the Central Railway has shortlisted Wadi Bunder near CSMT, WR has chosen a stretch adjacent to the Western Express highway for ease of connectivity and ease of expansion.
Currently, the site has indicated neglect, with randdown coaches, overgrowth vegetation and construction debris. However, once cleaned, the region has the ability to develop a complete stabiling and maintenance depot. WR has already given land in Sabarmati and is Indore for a similar depot.
The proximity of the depot for the upcoming Jogeshwari Terminus is strategic. To open at the end of this year, it will be Mumbai’s first Greenfield Rail Terminus in more than three decades – after Lokman Tilak Terminus (LTT). Made at the cost of 77 crores, three platforms in the terminus (one island and one house platform), will be able to handle the 600 meters long and 24-coach trains.
Equipped with parking zones for auto and cab, it is expected of overloaded terminals such as Dadar, Bandra and Mumbai Central. At least 24 long distance trains for Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are expected to operate daily from this station.
Sources said the development of the depot will increase the chances of Vande India, which arises from Jogeshwari, especially the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor prepares for 160 kmph operations by August. While Vande India and Sleeper variants are approved for these speeds, old premium trains such as Razine and Shatabadi will require special permissions to run fast.
Mishra said, “The big vision is meant to offer overnight railway trips to the passengers and transfer it from small flights-like Indore in Mumbai or only 10-12 hours. Once more Wande trains are introduced, it will become a reality. He also said that work is likely to end by December in the sixth line between Kandivali and Borivali.
Although the sixth row from Bandra Terminus to Kandivali is present, the delay in transferring utilities and cleaning encroachments pushed the deadline. Railways is also planning a large expansion on Veer-Dhanu stretch, in which Palaghar has been developed in a hub and rail connectivity for the upcoming slaughterh port.
