The much-needed thrid line between Kalyan-Kasara finally on track.

Giving commuters on Kalyan-Kasara route-one of country's most congested rail routes-the much-needed relief, the plan to lay a third line between these two stations is finally on its way to becoming a reality.

Central Railway has allotted Rs. 35 crore to build seven major bridges on this route as part of the project. The construction of these bridges and remodelling of a road-overbridge between Thakurli and Kalyan is the most important facet of this project. Once they are done, the plan for the third line on this 67-km stretch can easily be executed.

The Kalyan-Kasara route has a huge number of suburban trains competing with a host of long-distance trains moving towards Nashik and from there onto the north and eastern parts of the country. This is in addition to the 20-odd freight trains that consume space and time on the twin lines.

As per CR records, 147 suburban trains ply these routes-34 to Kasara, 39 to Aasangaon and 74 to Titwala. 'The passenger load to Titwala, Asangaon and Kasara is growing phenomenally. There is a lot of construction going on in that area and the need for a third line was felt at least a decade ago. But it's better late than never,' said a senior CR official.

DNA