To tackle the ever-growing issue of traffic and safety, the railway has begun to work on a plan of setting up elevated tracks in the cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The elevated tracks, set up over the existing railway tracks in these cities, will help address the congestion and the increasing safety issues. The project is said to be in partnership with the state and central government.
Speaking to the Times of India, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways stated that the department has already gotten in touch with the concerned officials and a report on possible work-plan and costings has been ordered.
The rough estimates suggest that such system in Mumbai alone will cost roughly ₹25,000 crores with a time frame of around 3-5 years. The network in Mumbai will be spread over 425 kilometres, that excludes single-line metro system. Piyush Goyal stated that a preliminary report by DFCC (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation) has already been submitted and the department is now looking forward to appointing the teams for specific tasks. Also, the railways have been asked to prepare a similar preliminary report for Bengaluru. The railway department has also begun a study for Delhi.
While being asked about a possible collaboration with DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation), Piyush Goyal said that the department is keeping all options open and will decide once it gets the preliminary status reports and costings. According to Goyal, the respective state governments have also been directed to work on increasing the floor spaces at existing railway stations, so that the plan of an elevated corridor can be implemented without causing much hassle to the existing arrangements.
On the issue of passengers safety and compatibility for the disabled passengers, he added that the elevated tracks will be accessible with elevators and will be completely accessible for the specially-abled passengers.