Ghatkopar Railway Station, one of the most significant transit points in Mumbai, is to undergo a major transformation as part of the modernization plan by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) for the railway infrastructure of the city. While the first phase is already done, commuters have already seen better facilities; and even more is promised in the second phase. The complete overhaul will be completed by 2027, and Ghatkopar station will become an epitome of modern infrastructure that considers the convenience of the commuter.
Phase I: Recent Upgrades at Ghatkopar Station
The station transformation was completed in December 2023 with a number of improvements for commuters. Among the works done include:
A 75×12-meter Foot Over Bridge (FOB) to improve safety and accessibility in crossing.
A 15×45-meter east deck that increases space for the movement of passengers.
New booking office with four counters to ensure faster ticketing.
Six escalators, The latest one was commissioned in December 2023.
Two-wheeler parking lot exclusively below the east deck to decongest.
While these improvements are very well received, the elimination of an obstructive municipal toilet is slightly slowing up some additional work. Yet, commuters have already benefited considerably from the improvements to their daily experience.
Phase II: Ghatkopar Station Road Ahead
Now, with Phase I successfully over, Phase II of the project is underway. Phase II is designed to modernize the station further and bring many new features into the station. In Phase II, two big FOBs will be built-one at the CSMT end and one at the Kalyan end. These FOBs are 12 meters wide and 75 meters long. They will make the station better connected, so that the passengers can move through the station easily.
The elevated west deck above Platform 1, 300 meters long and 8 meters wide, will open up much more space for commuters and facilitate the flow of passengers within the station. The work on the elevated deck is already underway with partial site clearance and pile foundation work for the columns of the deck.
In addition to these major improvements, other salient features include:
A 4-meter wide sky walk connecting Platform 4 and the north end municipal FOB, enhancing the pedestrian movement.
New service buildings for GRP and electrical rooms to improve the management and safety aspects of the station.
This shall have a new G+1 (Ground plus first floor) structure on the eastern side, which will facilitate a much-simplified ticketing as well as office space.
Key Improvements Made on Ghatkopar Station Upgrade
Upgradation of the full upgrade promises lots in terms of improvements on how travels might be experienced by different sorts of commuters. Some of these improvement feature include:
Six staircases. For efficient passenger movement in and out of the station.
Four double-discharge staircases. Easy movement in and out of the platforms as well as other areas.
Seven escalators. Increased mobility; hence, improved and efficient passenger flow.
Three lifts. For persons needing additional access.
As MRVC completes these projects, they are focused on the completion of the scheduled deadlines, ensuring that all developments are completed in time, and keeping the comfort and convenience of the passengers at the top.
Progress So Far: Milestones and Achievements
MRVC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Sunil Udasi, said that work on the Ghatkopar station revamp is going on well. The foundation work of the south FOB is completed, and column and cross-beam fabrication work is in progress. Demolition work of the old booking office for the north FOB is almost half way through, and pile foundation work for the west deck is progressing well.
Service buildings for the operations of the station have been partly erected, and some of the structures have been shifted for the new infrastructure. It is on schedule for its construction timeline as MRVC promised to deliver a modern, state-of-the-art railway station by 2027.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Ghatkopar Railway Station
The transformation of Ghatkopar Railway Station would mark a significant step ahead in modernizing the railways in Mumbai. Improvements already underway and more to follow in Phase II will facilitate convenient, efficient, and comfortable travel for commuters by 2027. Ghatkopar Station will then be seen as one of the best examples of modern railway infrastructure in India, setting an example for stations across India.
It would improve travel for commuters and residents of Mumbai, ensuring more efficient travel and overall a better experience in the usage of one of the busiest transportation hubs in the city. Let’s keep a close watch on the project’s progress toward completion!
Refer:
Economic Times, Link to article
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