Mumbai Metro One is moving ahead with plans to add 22 coaches to its fleet as part of an effort to tackle growing rush-hour congestion on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor, commonly known as the Blue Line.
Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) has begun the procurement process to convert its existing four-car trains into six-car formations. The expansion could raise carrying capacity by more than 50 per cent, allowing more passengers to travel on each train.
However, the procurement and deployment of the additional coaches will depend on MMOPL’s ongoing financial restructuring and the availability of funds. The operator is targeting faster delivery, with timely financial support expected to be critical for completing procurement, commissioning and deployment.
The requirement for longer trains has been recognised for several years. Metro Line 1’s infrastructure was designed to accommodate six-car trains, including platforms capable of handling longer formations. The proposed augmentation would therefore increase capacity without the need to construct an additional corridor or track.
Currently, the 11.4-km line operates four-car trains. Each four-car rake can carry around 1,178 passengers, while a six-car formation can accommodate approximately 1,792. This represents an increase of about 614 passengers per train.
The Blue Line has also come under greater pressure as Mumbai’s wider Metro network has expanded. Lines 3, 2A and 7 have increased passenger flows towards key interchange locations, including Andheri, Ghatkopar, Marol Naka and Western Express Highway, adding to peak-hour demand on the east-west corridor.
An MMOPL official said, “MMOPL has initiated the augmentation of Mumbai Metro Line-1 capacity from 4-car to 6-car trains to address peak-hour congestion and cater to growing ridership. Accordingly, procurement of 22 additional coaches has been initiated, with technical support from the existing OEMs to ensure seamless integration with the existing rolling stock and systems. An accelerated delivery schedule has been envisaged. However, progress of the procurement is contingent upon the ongoing financial restructuring and availability of funds. Timely financial support will therefore be critical to expedite procurement, commissioning and deployment of the additional capacity.”
Dhaval Shah, co-founder, Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association, said, “There is a dire need to increase the number of coaches to six. Provision of longer platforms is already in place. Lakhs of commuters using Mumbai Metro Line 1 are badly impacted by overcrowding and poor travel experience due to decade-old capacity which hasn’t been upgraded.
If things don’t change soon, this can lead to personal injuries and stampede-like situations for commuters. Line 1 is the only Metro line connecting east and west of Mumbai. As Lines 2A, 7 and 3 from the surrounding areas of south and north Mumbai, Dahisar to Andheri, are feeding more commuters into Line 1 now, it would be prudent to increase coaches to six.”
Shubham Padave, a commuter, said, “Crowding has persisted on the Blue Line, especially at interchange hubs. A six-coach configuration could provide a sizable capacity boost and shorter dwell pressures during peak hours.”
Source: Mid-day
