Forgotten rail land in Mumbai to be revived for more long-distance trains

Mumbai: An erstwhile parcel depot at Grant Road dating back to the British Era and a long-forgotten railway plot between Currey Road and Lower Parel stations are set for a new lease of life, with Western Railway (WR) planning to revive these two land parcels in the island city to create additional coaching, maintenance and stabling facilities for long-distance trains.

The project is likely to enable WR to add at least 10-15 long-distance trains to its network, according to officials familiar with the matter. WR will also get more parking space and maintenance facilities for its rakes.

At Grant Road, a parcel depot built in 1890 on about 0.9 hectares of land will be redeveloped. The site still bears the history of the goods-handling facility, which was operational until the early 1990s. Goods trains would arrive and depart from two terminal platforms at the site—one for inward and the other for outward traffic.

Around six to eight goods trains would operate from the depot every day, carrying non-perishable commodities, perfumes, betel leaves, fruits, dry fruits, clothes and other merchandise. There used to be continuous movement of trucks and men,” said a WR official.

Much of the incoming material was distributed to markets in south Mumbai, including Crawford Market, Manish Market and Lamington Road. Goods meant for export were also transported onwards to the Mumbai port.