Khar Station Gets ₹85 Cr Makeover, First of 17 Upgraded Under ₹950 Cr Mumbai Rail Plan
A New Chapter for Mumbai’s Lifeline
Mumbai’s suburban railway system—often described as the city’s beating heart—has long shouldered the movement of over 7.5 million passengers every single day. Yet, much of this critical transport infrastructure has remained stagnant, overburdened, and underwhelming in both safety and aesthetics.
Now, change is officially on track.
The transformation of Khar Road Station—the first in a series of 17 stations to be modernised under the ₹950 crore Mumbai Suburban Station Redevelopment Plan—has set a precedent. With an investment of ₹85 crore, Khar has been reinvented into a modern, commuter-centric, multimodal hub, signaling what the future holds for Mumbai’s railway experience.
Section 1: Why Khar First? A Strategic Location with Growing Demand
Located on the Western Railway line, Khar Road Station is nestled between the bustling junctions of Bandra and Santacruz. Although smaller in scale than its neighbours, it plays a vital role as a feeder for:
- Dense residential zones
- Major educational institutions
- Offices and retail outlets
- Access to the domestic airport
Over the past decade, ridership at Khar has grown steadily. Yet, the station remained a relic of the past—narrow foot overbridges, poor ventilation, limited seating, and chaotic entry/exit points. The upgrade, therefore, was not just about beautification—it was about relieving commuter stress, improving safety, and preparing for future growth.
Section 2: What’s New – A Breakdown of the ₹85 Cr Overhaul
The Khar Station makeover is part of Indian Railways’ broader plan to transform suburban railway stations into world-class multimodal interchange hubs. Key highlights of the revamp include:
- 🛤 Two spacious and airy Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) replacing older, narrower structures
- 🧱 New platform roofing with better rainwater drainage systems
- 💡 LED lighting across platforms, waiting areas, and ticket counters
- ♿ Universal accessibility features: ramps, lifts, tactile flooring for the visually impaired
- 🚉 Redesigned concourse areas to separate arriving and departing foot traffic
- 🚰 Modernized public amenities including water booths, clean restrooms, and digital ticket kiosks
- 📶 Wi-Fi zones, CCTV surveillance, and public address system enhancements
- 🌳 Landscape elements and vertical gardens for a green, urban experience
The aim is to elevate commuter experience without sacrificing efficiency or affordability.
Section 3: Commuter Voices – First Impressions of the New Khar Station
From early morning office-goers to college students, from the elderly to women with children, the new Khar station has been met with genuine surprise and optimism.
Ramesh Chavan, a 42-year-old daily commuter from Dahisar, remarked:
“I used to avoid Khar unless necessary. It felt claustrophobic. Now, it’s like walking into a proper transit centre.”
For 19-year-old college student Afreen Shaikh:
“The station now has ramps and wider stairs. It feels safer and less chaotic. As a woman, that makes a big difference.”
Local vendors too are witnessing a boost in footfall. “There’s better lighting and more space. People stop, they shop,” says Aarti, who runs a tea stall near the entrance.
These are small but meaningful changes that improve not just movement but the dignity and comfort of public commuting.
Section 4: The Larger Vision – What the ₹950 Cr Mumbai Rail Plan Envisions
Khar Station is only the beginning. The total ₹950 crore budget earmarked by Indian Railways under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase III includes:
- Modernisation of 17 key suburban stations across Central and Western lines.
- A focus on decongestion, safety, and multimodal integration.
- Integration of metro rail, BEST buses, autorickshaws, and taxis into a seamless experience.
- Adoption of green building certifications, energy efficiency, and digital infrastructure.
Stations on the list include: Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, and Thane, among others.
The transformation is guided by station-specific design solutions, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach—each upgrade tailored to passenger volume, surrounding land use, and multimodal traffic flow.
Section 5: Challenges on the Tracks – Funding, Execution, and Urban Coordination
While the vision is clear, execution is complex and riddled with legacy hurdles:
- Encroachments: Many stations are surrounded by informal settlements or commercial hawking zones.
- Construction in live environments: Work must continue without stopping train operations, which run over 2,900 local services daily.
- Inter-agency collaboration: Railways, BMC, MMRDA, and local police must coordinate on everything from drainage to signage.
- Funding flow: While ₹950 crore is allocated, actual disbursements are contingent on milestone completion and tendering efficiency.
Still, with Khar Station successfully delivered, the model is now in place for scaling and adapting across the rest of the network.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Public Realm—One Station at a Time
In a city where millions spend over two hours a day commuting, train stations aren’t just transit points—they are public spaces, economic nodes, and social enablers.
Khar Station’s transformation shows what is possible when design, policy, and public need align. As other stations prepare to undergo their own metamorphosis, commuters are hoping that this isn’t an isolated facelift but the start of a long-overdue cultural shift in how we treat public transport infrastructure.
Mumbai deserves stations that match the dignity and effort of its people. With Khar leading the way, the journey towards that future has officially begun.
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