The funds, approved last month, will contribute to the quadrupling of the 64km Virar - Dahanu Road corridor, extending suburban services to connect outlying areas with central Mumbai.

The project also includes the construction of a new 28km suburban corridor between Panvel and Karjat to cater for commuters in areas currently experiencing rapid urbanisation and population growth.

Existing lines will also benefit from measures to reduce fatal accidents at 36 locations, including fencing, reinforced concrete walls as well as new pedestrian diversions over or under tracks.

Mumbai’s 400km suburban network carries more than 7.5 million passengers a day.

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