Central Railway takes over 14 Navi Mumbai stations from CIDCO

Central Railway (CR) has formally taken over the remaining 14 railway stations developed by CIDCO in Navi Mumbai, ending a long-standing dispute over maintenance and passenger amenities. The handover on August 14 covers Vashi, Sanpada, Seawoods-Darave-Karave, CBD Belapur, and 10 other stations on the Harbour and Trans-Harbour corridors. This completes the transfer of all 17 stations built by CIDCO, after three stations were handed over on June 22.

The shift in commercial rights will begin from October 16. CIDCO must hand over details of existing advertisement, hoarding, and pay-and-park agreements by October 15, subject to finalisation of a land plan by September 30. CR will then take over these commercial arrangements after issuing required notices. Land lease agreements, water and power agreements, and a sewage connection plan are scheduled for completion by October 31.

The Hindustan Times reports that Thane MP Naresh Mhaske had repeatedly raised the issue of poor facilities with Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, citing a lack of modernisation at Vashi and other stations. A joint meeting in May set a six-month timeline for the transfer. Freepress Journal adds that the transfer culminates more than three decades of CIDCO's role in developing the network, with the first Mankhurd-Belapur corridor stretch commissioned in 1992.