Badlapur: In a significant development for daily commuters, the Union Railway Ministry has approved a new railway line connecting Kasgaon–Morbe–Panvel via Kamothe, aimed at easing travel between Badlapur, Kalyan and Navi Mumbai.

The Central Railway (CR) has begun a detailed survey for the project, which will link Kasgaon in Chamtoli near Badlapur to Panvel through Morbe and Kamothe in Navi Mumbai.

The project addresses a long-standing demand, driven by the rising population in Badlapur and the growing number of commuters travelling to Navi Mumbai for work. Currently, travellers must change trains at Thane or rely on buses that face frequent delays due to traffic congestion at Shilphata and Taloja.

“This new route will cut travel time from 1.5 hours to just 30 minutes, reducing the distance from 65 km to 18 km,” said former Badlapur Mayor Ram Patkar, adding that work on the Kasgaon station survey has already begun.

The Kasgaon–Panvel link will be the third key railway corridor between Thane and Raigad districts, expected to decongest Kalyan and Thane stations and ease pressure on Harbour and Trans-Harbour lines.

The new route is also expected to gain further importance once the Navi Mumbai International Airport becomes operational, providing improved access for airport-bound passengers from the Badlapur-Kalyan region.

In 2023, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, advocating the project due to rapid urban growth and the need for a dedicated station at Kasgaon.