Proposed Surat-Dankuni corridor to strengthen passenger, freight and industrial connectivity across the state. Maharashtra is set to gain a new east-west railway corridor aimed at connecting several areas of the state that have so far remained outside the rail network, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.
Speaking via video link from Delhi while flagging off the new CSMT-Sawantwadi Road daily Express, Vaishnaw said the proposed Surat-Dankuni East-West Corridor would provide both freight and passenger connectivity and open up new opportunities for industrial and rural development.
“The east-west corridor is being designed in such a way that it will be able to connect many such areas of Maharashtra which have never been connected before,” Vaishnaw said.
The proposal follows Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ suggestion to connect the eastern and western Dedicated Freight Corridors and integrate them with emerging industrial zones.
Vaishnaw said the project would strengthen freight movement from Jawaharlal Nehru Port to northern, eastern and central India. Improved connectivity, he said, would also support industrial growth around Mumbai and boost activity at JNPT.
Mumbai suburban rail network to expand
The Railway Minister also announced plans to significantly expand Mumbai’s suburban rail capacity. The city currently operates around 3,200 local train services daily, with capacity enhancement, signalling upgrades and new-generation trains planned to accommodate rising demand.
The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai will manufacture 28 AC local trains, with production expected to begin in 2027. By 2030, Mumbai is expected to have 238 new-generation local trains, Vaishnaw said.
Bullet train project gathers pace
Work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is also progressing, with two tunnel boring machines currently operating simultaneously on the undersea tunnel section between Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex and Thane.
The first section of the high-speed rail project is expected to become operational in 2027.
350 special trains for Ganesh festival
Ahead of the Ganesh festival, the Railways will operate 350 special trains to meet increased demand for travel to the Konkan region. The number could be raised to 375, depending on passenger demand.
The new CSMT-Sawantwadi Road daily Express is expected to further strengthen direct connectivity between Mumbai and the Konkan region.
The event was attended by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Minister Nitesh Rane and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde.
Source: The Free Press Journal
