Bidders are now able to conduct their own assessments and studies prior to bidding for the project.

Western Railway expects to reach an agreement soon with Maharashtra state government to secure its support for moving utilities, acquiring land, and other issues regarding the construction of the new line. The objective is to award tenders by March 2013.

The 63.2km double-track line will run from Oval Maidan north via Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Dadar, and Andheri to Virar. The southern 8km section will be underground with five stations. The rest of the line will comprise 42.7km of elevated track with 19 stations, and 12.5km at grade with two stations. A depot for the fleet of air-conditioned trains will be built north of Virar. The line will interchange with Line 1 of the Mumbai metro, currently under construction, at Andheri.

Western Rail plans to fund the project by developing land at eight locations along the route for commercial schemes.