The recent demolition of the 140-year-old Masjid Bunder road overbridge has cleared the decks not only for additional platforms but more significantly for accommodating a seventh line.

According to railway sources, this key project of laying seventh line will commence soon and is being accorded top priority as it will decongest the section.

“At present, the outstation trains arriving at CST and departing from here are sent to Wadi Bunder and Mazgaon for routine maintenance and cleaning. This up and down operation is done on fast tracks hampering the smooth running of local trains,” said a CR engineer. “After the seventh line will be introduced, to and fro operations from CST will be done on this additional line resulting in improved frequency and punctuality of suburban trains,” the engineer added.

However, according to officials, laying seventh line will be a tough task. “The existing lines will be slewed (rotated on its axis) towards west side to make space for the seventh line. The overhead wire equipment will also have to be shifted according to the position of tracks,” said KK Sharma, chief administrative officer (construction), CR. The portal frame for the overhead equipment has already been installed over the lines.

According to Sharma, the work on the line will be completed by December.