Mumbai: Khar Road Railway Station has undergone a major transformation, becoming the first suburban station in Mumbai to be fully redeveloped under the ambitious Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3A. Spearheaded by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the Rs 85 crore overhaul marks a significant step in the Rs 950 crore initiative to modernise 17 of the city’s busiest railway stations.
Catering to over 1.6 lakh daily commuters, the upgraded Khar Road station now features vastly improved infrastructure focused on accessibility, safety, and commuter comfort. A prominent addition is the newly built home platform, stretching 270 metres in length and 10 metres in width, aimed at easing crowd congestion, particularly during peak hours.
Largest elevated deck in Western Railway’s suburban network
The station now boasts the largest elevated deck in Western Railway’s suburban network, spanning nearly 5,000 square metres. This includes a primary deck area of 4,393 square metres, a secondary section measuring 413 square metres, and a 31-metre-long skywalk to facilitate smoother passenger flow across the premises.
Other notable upgrades at Mumbai’s Khar Station
In line with efforts to make the station more accessible, the redesign includes three lifts and five escalators, one of them a double-discharge escalator as well as a dedicated ramp fitted with handrails connecting MCGM Road directly to the platform. Commuters with visual or mobility impairments will also benefit from tactile tiles placed across key navigation points such as platforms, staircases, lifts, and ticket counters.
Passenger facilities have been significantly upgraded. Two new ticket booking offices, one on the ground level and another on the elevated deck, now include counters designed to be accessible to all. Additional amenities include a modern toilet block equipped for differently-abled users, a refurbished Station Manager’s office, and large HVLS (High Volume Low Speed) fans to improve ventilation within the station.
The station’s appearance has also been refreshed with a redesigned façade, improved lighting, cleaner circulation zones, and enhanced air flow on the platforms, collectively contributing to a more inviting and commuter-friendly environment.
Other suburban stations undergoing renovation
This redevelopment is part of MRVC’s larger effort to revitalise suburban rail travel across Mumbai. Along the Western line, stations such as Santacruz, Kandivli, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Vasai, and Nallasopara are also undergoing comprehensive upgrades, including new platforms, escalators, ticketing facilities, lighting improvements, and bolstered security.
Simultaneously, on the Central Railway corridor, ten stations, including Kasara, Neral, Dombivli, Mulund, Bhandup, Ghatkopar, Govandi, Mankhurd, Chembur and Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar are seeing enhancements focused on reducing congestion and improving accessibility. These include the construction of foot overbridges, lifts, and escalators. Ghatkopar station has already completed the first phase of its redevelopment, with the second nearing completion.