3 weeks ago
Vasai Bypass Rail Project Delayed by Pending Joint Measurement Survey
This is a story about building a new train track near Mumbai, in India.
The track is called the Vasai Bypass Railway.
To build it, the government needs some land from people.
Before they can take the land, they must do a special check called a Joint Measurement Survey.
This survey helps them know who owns each piece of land.
The government has done a lot of paperwork, but this survey has not happened yet.
That is why the building work is stuck.
The railway also needs permission to use land where mangrove trees grow.
Mangroves are special trees that grow near the sea.
Many officials are working on this, and we hope the survey happens soon so the trains can get moving.
The ₹175.99-crore Vasai Bypass and Naigaon–Juchandra chord line project remains stalled because the crucial Joint Measurement Survey has not been conducted.
Land acquisition proposals covering a total of 8.08 hectares were submitted to the Palghar District Collector in August 2024 and March 2026.
Statutory steps, including Section 20A and Section 20E notifications, were issued, with the latest 20A notification gazetted on June 18, 2026.
The 5.73-km line is expected to directly connect Western Railway with the Konkan Railway network, reducing travel time, easing congestion and improving freight movement.
Environmental processing is progressing, including diversion of 14.10 hectares of mangrove land, with forest officials submitting reports as recently as August 3, 2026.
Planning approvals are also advancing, including the Naigaon station ESP under divisional review and the juchandra ESP pending approval since March 23, 2026.
Western Railway officials said the final land acquisition proposal can only be processed after the survey is completed jointly with the Palghar district administration.
The Palghar district administration did not respond to queries about the survey's current status.
- Who
- Western Railway, the Railway Board, the Palghar district administration and the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) are involved in the project.
- What
- The Vasai Bypass and Naigaon–Juchandra chord line project is delayed because the Joint Measurement Survey for land acquisition has not been conducted.
- Where
- Vasai, Naigaon and Juchandra in Palghar district, Maharashtra, near Mumbai.
- When
- Delays have persisted through 2025 and 2026, with statutory notifications issued as recently as June 18, 2026, and forest reports submitted on August 3, 2026.
- Why
- The survey is essential to establish whether the land belongs to the government, Railways or private owners, after which compensation proceedings and final acquisition can proceed.
Key facts
- Project
- Vasai Bypass and Naigaon–Juchandra chord line
- Estimated Cost
- ₹175.99 crore
- Route Length
- 5.73 km
- Total Land Under Acquisition
- 8.08 hectares (3.77 + 4.31 hectares)
- DPR Sanctioned
- July 14, 2023, by Railway Board
- Consultancy Contract Awarded
- July 10, 2024
- Latest Gazette Notification
- Section 20A for 4.31 hectares, June 18, 2026
- Mangrove Diversion Proposed
- 14.10 hectares (9.55 for Vasai Bypass, 4.6311 for stabling lines)
Quotes
Senior Western Railway official
Railway official overseeing land acquisition
“The Joint Measurement Survey has not yet been conducted. Once it is completed jointly with the district administration, the final land acquisition proposal can be processed further.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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