Mumbai’s suburban rail network witnessed notable improvements in 2025–26, as both Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) expanded services, enhanced infrastructure, and reported strong financial performance to improve daily commuting for millions.
Western Railway posted a record revenue of Rs 4,840 crore during the year, with suburban services contributing Rs 871.73 crore. AC local trains alone generated Rs 24.44 crore in March 2026. The zone also increased 12- and 15-coach services between January and March, upgraded two key trains from ICF to LHB coaches, and extended the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat from 16 to 20 coaches. Punctuality levels improved, with express trains operating at 88% on-time performance and suburban services at 92%, marking a rise from the previous year. The upcoming Jogeshwari Terminus is expected to ease congestion at major hubs like Mumbai Central, Dadar, and Bandra.
Meanwhile, Central Railway introduced seven new trains in 2025, including a Vande Bharat service between Nagpur and Pune, as well as Amrit Bharat trains on the Panvel–Alipurdwar and LTT–Saharsa routes. The zone also added 14 new AC locals on the Harbour Line, taking the total number of AC suburban trains across the network to 94.
CR is currently undertaking 12 major infrastructure projects worth over Rs 16,000 crore to decongest busy routes and modernise the passenger experience. Its punctuality stood at 82.05% for express trains and 92.04% for suburban services.
Looking ahead, preparations are underway for the Nashik Kumbh Mela, with 90 projects worth Rs 1,455 crore in progress. Key stations such as Sai Nagar Shirdi and Igatpuri are set for upgrades, with full operational readiness targeted by March 2027.
Source: The Free Press Journal
