India, May 16 -- The state's push to develop the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will see the expansion of the suburban rail corridors on both the Central and Western railways. On the agenda are new lines linking the Navi Mumbai airport with the MMR, separating suburban and long-distance train services, and extending rail connectivity from Dahanu to the proposed Vadhvan port, billed as India's largest port, in Palghar district.

The Union Railway Ministry has asked the Central and Western railways to carry out surveys and studies for these new suburban rail lines.

On the Central Railway, the ministry wants new lines connecting the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the additional lines on the Asangaon-Kasara section, the Badlapur...