India’s first fully waterproof underground pedestrian subway is nearing completion at Bhiwandi Road railway station, developed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation. The all-weather subway is designed to provide a safer east-west pedestrian crossing and is expected to open ahead of the monsoon season.
Unlike conventional foot overbridges requiring commuters to climb 11–12 metres, the subway runs approximately four to five metres below ground, making it far more accessible for daily passengers. The 68-metre-long passage passes beneath seven railway lines, including two Dedicated Freight Corridor tracks, two mail-express lines and three loop lines.
What sets the project apart is its triple-layer waterproofing technology, a first for India. Rubber gaskets at all box joints, specialised waterproof chemical compounds and an additional protective layer work together to prevent seepage and flooding. Entry and exit points have been raised by 60 centimetres to keep out rainwater during heavy downpours.
Construction uses the Box Pushing technique with reinforced concrete boxes and steel girders installed beneath active tracks, ensuring uninterrupted rail operations throughout the build.
The project addresses a persistent safety crisis. Official figures show 6,225 passengers lost their lives on Central Railway and 3,627 on Western Railway between 2022 and 2025, many linked to illegal track crossings. MRVC Chairman Vilas Wadekar confirmed that if the Bhiwandi pilot succeeds, similar underground corridors will be considered at other accident-prone locations across Mumbai’s suburban network.
