The plan is to have an elevated corridor from Churchgate to Virar, running along the existing suburban corridor of Western Railway (WR) and to be constructed within the Railways’ right of way. “As it is not feasible to lay two additional lines alongside the existing tracks within the right of way, there is no choice but to explore an elevated corridor,” an official said, adding the ground space within the Railways’ right of way was totally used up.

Rail Bhawan sources said they were trying to have an alignment which was feasible and caused the least possible disturbance to the existing train operations. “We are looking at integrated suburban stations with new elevated platforms which are positioned directly above the existing platforms and are connected through common concourses,” added sources.

The Railways wants to retain the existing platforms and tracks at ground level without engaging in any realignment or rebuilding and going in for only retrofitting for modernisation.

To commercially exploit the airspace above the tracks, Railways is open to allowing commercial development on the stations and real estate development on railway land around stations through relocation of existing offices and other structures, officials said.

The Railway Ministry has also made clear its preference for redeveloping the existing stations into integrated stations wherein the existing platforms at the ground level would be refurbished, a concourse would be set up at first-floor level and new platforms for elevated rail corridor would come up at second-floor level.