September 8, 2025: Mumbai’s suburban railway, the city’s lifeline carrying over 7.5 million passengers daily, is set for a landmark modernisation. With the Maharashtra cabinet’s approval, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has begun the procurement process for 238 fully air-conditioned trains under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase III and IIIA.
The new fleet is expected to ease severe overcrowding while offering greater comfort to both residents and tourists. Each train will come in 12, 15, and 18-car configurations, significantly boosting passenger capacity. A 12-car train will accommodate 3,504 passengers, a 15-car formation 4,380, and the largest 18-car version up to 5,256.
Modern facilities will include automatic doors, cushioned seating, mobile charging points, and onboard infotainment systems. Technical upgrades will improve safety, efficiency and punctuality, addressing long-standing concerns about delays. Maintenance depots are planned at Bhivpuri on the Central Railway and Vangaon on the Western Railway to ensure world-class upkeep of the fleet.
The introduction of air-conditioned trains is also expected to enhance the experience of international and domestic tourists, who often find the city’s existing trains overcrowded and outdated. The network’s expansion will make it easier to reach key attractions such as the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and Juhu Beach in greater comfort.
Alongside the new trains, infrastructure upgrades are planned. Platforms will be extended to accommodate longer rakes, while signalling systems will be modernised to handle higher traffic volumes.
For decades, Mumbai’s suburban network has been the backbone of urban mobility, but demand has consistently outstripped capacity. By investing in 238 new trains, the authorities aim to keep pace with the city’s rising population while reinforcing Mumbai’s status as a global tourism hub.
Source: Travel And Tour World
