Mumbai’s suburban rail network has received a significant boost with Western Railway and Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation successfully conducting a trial run of a 15-coach Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) at Virar station. The trial follows the completion of crucial platform widening and extension works under the Virar–Dahanu Road quadrupling project.
With the upgraded infrastructure set to be commissioned soon, Virar station will be equipped to handle longer suburban trains, increasing capacity and easing congestion on one of Mumbai’s busiest corridors. Platforms 3A and 4A have been expanded from 6.5 metres to 10.5 metres and extended to accommodate 15-coach trains, replacing the earlier limit of 12 coaches. Additionally, a new Platform 5A has been constructed on the western side to support increased traffic.
The upgrade work was completed within just four months, despite operational challenges at the high-density station. Officials highlighted that the development is a key milestone in enhancing the carrying capacity of the suburban network. MRVC Managing Director Vilas S. Wadekar noted that such improvements will continue in coordination with Western Railway, ensuring safety and minimal disruption to daily services.
The Virar–Dahanu corridor, spanning around 60 km, is among the most crowded suburban routes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Plans for the upgrade were announced in December 2025 to introduce 15-car services to meet growing commuter demand.
To support the transition, Western Railway has also requested five additional train rakes from the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Once operational, the shift from 12-coach to 15-coach trains is expected to increase passenger capacity by approximately 25%, significantly improving travel conditions for daily commuters on this vital route.
Source: Curly Tales
