On the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, the Mumbai Division of Western Railway (WR) expanded its suburban train operations by adding 12 new air-conditioned (AC) and three non-AC local services. The move is aimed at reducing congestion, enhancing passenger safety, and improving travel comfort, particularly ahead of the summer season.
With the addition of the 12 AC services, the total number of daily AC locals on the Western Railway suburban corridor has increased from 121 to 133, according to railway officials. The AC trains are fitted with automatic door-closing systems designed to improve commuter safety while ensuring a more comfortable journey during warmer months.
In addition to the AC services, three new non-AC suburban trains have also been introduced to strengthen capacity across the network. Railway authorities stated that these new services are expected to help manage peak-hour crowding and provide more travel options for daily commuters.
Western Railway described the expansion as part of its broader plan to modernise Mumbai’s suburban railway system, often referred to as the city’s lifeline. The initiative focuses on improving operational efficiency, passenger safety, and overall reliability of services on one of the busiest suburban rail networks in the country.
Officials further indicated that service optimisation and infrastructure upgrades will continue under a long-term capacity enhancement strategy. As commuter demand grows across Mumbai’s fast-expanding suburbs, the railway administration aims to steadily increase frequency and improve onboard amenities to ensure smoother daily travel for lakhs of passengers who depend on the suburban network.
The latest addition of services reflects Western Railway’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the suburban corridor and respond to rising commuter requirements.
Source: The Free Press Journal
