Mumbai is one of the busiest cities in India. Many people travel every day by train in this big city. Trains are very important here because they help millions of people reach their work, school, or homes. But for a long time, there has not been any new train terminus built in Mumbai. The last time a new terminus was opened was in the year 1991. That was the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, also known as LTT. After waiting for 34 years, the city is now finally getting a new railway terminus at Jogeshwari, which is great news for everyone.
The new terminus at Jogeshwari will be a big help to the people who live and work in that area. It is being built on land that already belongs to the railway. This land is located between two train stations: Ram Mandir and Jogeshwari. It is on the eastern side of the railway tracks. The construction work is already happening there. Many workers and machines are busy building the new terminus. This place was earlier used as a goods shed, but now it will become a place for people to catch long-distance trains.
This new terminus is very important for the city. The goal is to reduce the pressure on the old and very busy train stations like Mumbai Central, Dadar, and Bandra Terminus. These stations are always full of people, and it becomes difficult to manage the crowd. Sometimes trains get delayed because there is not enough space. By opening the Jogeshwari Terminus, some long-distance trains will start and end their journey there. This will help the other stations work more smoothly and help trains run on time without delay, which will make passengers happy.
The new terminus is also expected to help local train services. Local trains are those that people use every day to go to nearby places in Mumbai. When the big mail and express trains go to other stations, it creates traffic on the tracks. That makes local trains run late too. But now, by moving some of those trains to the new Jogeshwari Terminus, the local trains will have more space and will be able to move faster. This will make daily travel easier for many people who depend on local trains every day.
The construction of this terminus is being done under a special project by the Indian Railways. The name of this project is the Amrit Bharat Station Development Scheme. The government wants to improve many old railway stations and build some new ones under this plan. The cost of building the Jogeshwari Terminus is around ₹76.84 crore. That is a very large amount of money. But the government believes it is a good investment because this new station will help so many people and will also make Mumbai’s train system stronger and more modern for the future.
The new Jogeshwari Terminus will have very good facilities for passengers. It will be built in a modern way and will have nice places to sit and wait. There will be air-conditioned lounges where passengers can rest before their train comes. These lounges will be comfortable and cool, especially in the hot summer. There will also be electric vehicle charging stations in the parking area. This means people who come to the station in electric cars or bikes can charge their vehicles while they wait. This is good for the environment and also helps promote green energy.
The new terminus will have enough space for long trains. It will have three high-level platforms. One of these will be a home platform, and the other will be an island platform. Each platform will be about 600 meters long. This is enough to handle big trains with up to 24 coaches. So, the new terminus will be ready to handle many passengers at once. It will also have good facilities like lights, benches, fans, drinking water, and toilets. The idea is to make sure people feel safe and comfortable while they are at the station.
According to railway officials, the terminus is being built quickly. As of August 2024, more than 76 percent of the construction work was already completed. The government and the railway department are trying to finish the work as soon as possible. If everything goes as planned, the station will be ready by the end of 2025. They are planning to open the station in October or November 2025. After the station is opened, people from the Jogeshwari area and nearby places will find it easier to travel to other cities and states.
Once the Jogeshwari Terminus is open, around 12 pairs of mail and express trains will use this station every day. This means that every day, 12 trains will start from this terminus and 12 trains will end their journey here. This will give many people new options for traveling. It will be especially helpful for people who live in the western suburbs of Mumbai. They will not have to go far to catch long-distance trains. This will save them a lot of time and trouble and make their journeys more convenient and less stressful.
The location of the new terminus is also very smart. It is close to the Western Express Highway, which is one of Mumbai’s main roads. Many people travel on this road every day. It is also close to a metro line. So, people can easily take a metro or drive to the station and catch their train. This will improve the connection between different types of transport. It is always better when buses, trains, cars, and metros are well-connected. It helps people travel more easily, and it also helps reduce traffic on the roads.
The area around Jogeshwari is growing fast. Many new homes, offices, and shops are coming up. More people are moving to live in this part of Mumbai. This means there is more demand for transport. The new terminus will help meet this demand. It will also increase the value of nearby areas. When a train station is built in a place, more businesses come, and property prices go up. This means that the new terminus will not only help passengers but also help the local economy by creating jobs and business opportunities.
Another important thing about this terminus is that it will be friendly for all kinds of passengers. The government wants the station to be easy to use for everyone, including old people, children, and people with disabilities. There will be ramps, lifts, escalators, and wide pathways. There will also be signboards in clear language to help people find their way. The goal is to make sure no one has any trouble using the station. Safety will also be taken care of, with security guards, CCTV cameras, and good lighting in every part of the station.
The station will also help during times of emergencies. Sometimes, when there is a big accident or a natural disaster like floods or storms, the regular stations become too crowded. Then, having one more station can be a big help. Trains can be diverted to the new Jogeshwari Terminus. It can also be used when there is construction work at other stations and they need to close for some time. This kind of backup station helps the city stay ready for any problems and keeps the train services running even in difficult situations.
The work on the Jogeshwari Terminus is being done with new machines and good planning. Engineers and workers are using new technology to make sure the work is strong and will last a long time. They are also trying to use eco-friendly materials. They want the station to be energy-efficient, with LED lights and solar panels if possible. Wastewater will be treated before it is released. The station will try to create less waste and pollution. This kind of green construction is important today because it helps protect the environment while still building what people need.
In the future, the Jogeshwari Terminus may be expanded even more. If the number of trains and passengers keeps growing, more platforms or tracks can be added. The station has been designed in a way that leaves room for future changes. This is smart planning. It shows that the railway department is not only thinking about today but also about tomorrow. They know the city will keep growing, and more people will travel. So, they are making a station that will not become too small too soon. This will help the city for many years.
The opening of the Jogeshwari Terminus will also reduce the travel load on people who used to go far to catch a train. Instead of going to Dadar or Mumbai Central, they can now board trains closer to home. This will reduce traffic on the roads, especially during peak hours. Fewer people will need to take taxis or buses to go faraway stations. This will also reduce the use of petrol and diesel, and that is good for the environment. It will also make travel cheaper for many passengers who live in the western parts of Mumbai.
The government and railway officials are excited about this new project. They believe that the Jogeshwari Terminus is a big step forward in improving train services in Mumbai. They have promised to finish the work on time and make sure everything is ready before opening day. People are also looking forward to this new terminus. They hope it will make travel easier, faster, and more comfortable. Many people have been waiting for a station like this for a long time. Finally, after more than 30 years, their wait is about to come to an end.
In conclusion, the Jogeshwari Terminus is a very important project for Mumbai. It will help reduce the crowd at other stations, improve local train timing, and give people in western suburbs a better way to travel. It will also have modern and green facilities, be easy to use for everyone, and support future growth. With good planning and fast work, this station will be a big success. It is a sign that Mumbai is moving forward and working to make life better for its people. Everyone is waiting for 2025, when this new journey will begin.