August 7, 2025: In a significant move aimed at easing congestion and enhancing commuter comfort, Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive upgrade to Mumbai’s suburban rail network. The number of coaches in local trains will be increased from 12 to 15, resulting in a 33% boost in passenger capacity. Currently, Central Railway operates two 15-coach trains on 22 services, while Western Railway runs 14 such trains across 211 services.
To further improve the travel experience, Indian Railways is set to procure 238 air-conditioned (AC) local trains. Additionally, non-AC locals with automatic doors will be introduced by the end of 2025 to improve safety. A prototype is being manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, while another model at Kurla car shed is under review.
At a recent meeting held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar directed Central and Western Railway officials to expedite the implementation of these projects, with a particular focus on safety and service frequency. Kumar emphasised the complexities of working within live stations, rather than on greenfield sites, which has slowed progress.
Meanwhile, a multi-modal integration (MMI) project is underway to improve last-mile connectivity. At Khar station, a 5,000 sq m elevated deck has been built to facilitate commercial use and metro access. Ghatkopar station has also seen work on concourses for smoother passenger movement. Surveys are being conducted to plan MMI within 500 metres of metro hubs.
Ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela, Rs 1,100 crore has been allocated to upgrade infrastructure and run additional trains to Nashik, with much of the funding earmarked for the redevelopment of Nashik station. Indian Railways also confirmed plans for new terminuses in Jogeshwari, Panvel, Kalyan and Vasai, and a RS 2,500 crore revamp of CSMT.
Source: Economic Times
