Indian Railways Approves ₹497 Crore Doubling of Chouk-Karjat Railway Section in Maharashtra

Indian Railways has cleared a major infrastructure push in Maharashtra, approving the doubling of the Chouk-Karjat railway section under Central Railway on 18th September, 2026. Sanctioned at a cost of ₹497 crore, the project is aimed at boosting network capacity and making train operations smoother on this stretch.

10.86 km Chouk-Karjat Railway Section

The approved stretch covers 10.86 km and forms part of the Panvel-Chouk-Karjat corridor, a route that handles both passenger and freight traffic. Right now, this section runs on a single line, which limits how many trains can move through it at once. Doubling the track means adding a second parallel line, giving trains more room to operate without waiting for the opposite track to clear.

Five Additional Passenger Trains in Each Direction

Once complete, the project is expected to allow five additional passenger trains to run in each direction on this route. That's beneficial for daily commuters and long-distance travellers alike, as it means shorter waiting times, better punctuality, and more travel options along this busy corridor.

Chouk-Karjat Railway Section Project Features

1. The doubling work covers a total railway length of 10.86 km.
2. The project has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹497 crore.
3. It falls under Central Railway, one of the 18 railway zones that make up Indian Railways.
4. The work has been approved as part of a larger umbrella scheme covering doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyovers, and bypass projects across the network.
5. The primary goal is capacity augmentation, helping reduce congestion and improve train movement efficiency.

How is the Chouk-Karjat Railway Section Project important?

This project fits into Indian Railways' broader strategy of strengthening existing routes rather than only building new ones. By adding a second line on high-traffic corridors like Chouk-Karjat, the railway network becomes more resilient, supports faster freight movement, and reduces delays that commuters often face on single-line sections.