7th outstation rail terminus to be developed at Jogeshwari in Mumbai

Soon, rail passengers in Mumbai will be able to hop aboard a long-distance train from Jogeshwari. As per the decision of railway board, Mumbai’s 7th outstation rail terminus at Jogeshwari will primarily cater to trains to and from the western and northern Indian states. This ₹70 crore project is touted to reduce the congestion along the existing WR terminus in Mumbai, by bearing the load of at least 12 trains from Mumbai Central and Bandra terminals.

In a bid to reduce congestion on the outstation terminals in Mumbai, the Railway Board has sanctioned a new island rail project at Jogeshwari. The project is designed to fit at least two 24-coach trains at once. As per the officials, Western Railways also plans on operating private trains like Tejas and Vande Bharat from the new junction. The Jogeshwari station will also have one stabling line, which will help in times of launching new trains on demand.

According to the action-plan the station will be set up between the Ram Mandir and Jogeshwari local junctions. Notably, to increase connectivity, the line will also be integrated with suburban and metro lines 7, between Andheri and Dahisar and Lokhandwala-Vikhroli line 6.

Several other accessory works, such as ticketing windows and waiting rooms will also be developed to complete the terminal. As per the reports, there would be no maintenance facility, however, the safety of trains will not be compromised as the examination of trains can be conducted from where they originate or terminate.

While Mumbai already has a total of 6 long-distance stations, the upcoming terminus at Jogeshwari has been tagged as a ‘necessity’ by the officials. In an attempt to make this terminals appropriate for long distance trains, dead-end lines will also be developed. These dead-end lines help the engine to attached and pull the vehicle out of a platform once it's ready to depart.

Notably, the suburban (local) trains do not require a locomotive and thus do not have this structure - making them incompatible to operate private trains. However, the proposed Jogeshwari station will be developed with these dead-end lines, making the terminal different from the others in the city.