Built in 1873, the Parsik tunnel is one of the oldest and longest rail tunnels in the country, but over the years it has become a bane for the Central Railway
Parsik tunnel
Built in 1873, the Parsik tunnel is one of the oldest and longest rail tunnels in the country, but over the years it has become a bane for the Central Railway (CR). Following a massive rise in the number of commuters between Dombivli and Thane on the slow line, passenger associations have submitted a proposal to CR authorities to build a station on Parsik Hill, which lies on the Mumbai-Kalyan mainline.
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Over seven lakh commuters regularly use CR trains between Thane and Dombivli. CR sources said that on this route, Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva and Kopar stations contribute around three lakh passengers daily. If a Parsik station is built, it will not only ease passenger movement between Thane and Diva, but also help to preserve the tunnel, which has grown weak due to illegal encroachments on the hill.
"Most trains on this route run packed to capacity owing to the rise in the number of commuters over the last few years. A new station may help distribute the passenger load," said Madhu Kotian, chief of Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, which along with the Kalwa Parsik Pravasi Sanghatana submitted the proposal to the CR authorities.
Ravindra Goyal, divisional railway manager (Mumbai) of CR, confirmed, "I have received the proposal, but I am yet to study it."
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