By Apurva Bhatt

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is all set to revive the 3rd line between Kalyan and Kasara, a project trapped in railway files for close to a decade now. CR officials are in the final stages of design approval. The line, once up and running, will be the longest bi-directional rail line in CR's Mumbai division and will allow long-distance and goods trains to run in both directions on the track. Western Railway's 5th line, used by long distance trains, between Mumbai Central and Borivali is a bi-directional track.

CR had last year allocated Rs35 crore to build 7 major bridges on the route as part of the 3rd line project. The construction of these bridges and the remodelling of a road-overbridge between Thakurli and Kalyan – to squeeze in the 3rd line – is the most important facet of the project.

"The Kalyan-Kasara is a huge project upwards of Rs 600 crore and if all goes according to plan, it should be up and running in the next five years. The construction on the ground should hopefully start by the end of this year if matters are expedited," said an official connected with the project.

The 3rd line project was first proposed by CR to the railway board in 2009, with its cost envisaged at that time to be in the range of Rs 252 crores. At current prices, said officials, the line would need more that Rs 600 crores for completion.

The Kalyan-Kasara route, which currently has just two lines, is one of the most congested rail stretches in the country. As per CR records, a total of 147 local trains, 71 long-distance trains and about 20 freight trains run on the twin lines every day.