June 11, 2025: In the wake of the tragic railway accident in Mumbra on Monday that claimed four lives, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a significant transformation of Mumbai’s suburban railway network. The Indian Railways, he said, is actively working towards replacing existing suburban rakes with air-conditioned (AC) trains featuring automatic doors, with the intention of reducing fares to levels close to current non-AC services.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Fadnavis stated that he had held extensive discussions with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding enhanced safety measures and infrastructure development. He noted that improving the carrying capacity of suburban trains during peak hours in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has become a key priority.
“The AC trains will offer Metro-like comfort, with safer boarding and alighting due to automatic doors,” said Fadnavis. “Our aim is to provide Metro-quality services at suburban prices.”
He further emphasised that overcrowding remains a critical issue, particularly due to the incomplete operationalisation of the Metro network across MMR. The upgrade to AC rakes is being seen as a necessary interim measure to manage passenger load and improve travel conditions.
Highlighting the Modi government’s achievements over the past 11 years, Fadnavis credited it for the highest-ever investment in Maharashtra’s suburban railway infrastructure. He cited improvements such as increased platform heights, extended train lengths, upgraded signalling systems, better water facilities, escalators, and comprehensive route strengthening as results of the central government’s focused efforts.
The press conference was part of the BJP’s 10-day outreach campaign across districts and tehsils, aimed at showcasing the Centre’s performance and development initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Source: Hindustan Times
