June 25, 2025: In a significant step towards easing chronic congestion on Mumbai’s suburban rail network, the Union government has sanctioned 12 infrastructure projects worth over Rs 16,241 crore, according to a report by The Indian Express.The projects are intended to reduce overcrowding, increase service frequency, and enhance safety and reliability for the city’s nearly 8 million daily train commuters.
Responding to a query raised in the Lok Sabha by Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the clearance of these critical developments aimed at modernising and expanding Mumbai’s suburban railway services.
Key projects include the Virar–Dahanu 3rd and 4th lines (₹3,587 crore), the Panvel–Karjat suburban corridor (RS 2,782 crore), and the Borivali–Virar 5th and 6th lines (Rs 2,184 crore). Additional expansions between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla, as well as between Mumbai Central and Borivali, along with key upgrades in the Kalyan section, form a core part of this expansion.
These enhancements are expected to significantly ease bottlenecks, improve punctuality, and allow a greater number of trains to operate during peak hours.
Railway Minister Vaishnaw emphasised that infrastructure development is central to increasing the capacity and efficiency of Mumbai’s suburban network, especially as demand continues to surge.
In addition to track upgrades, Indian Railways plans to introduce 238 new air-conditioned local train rakes equipped with automatic doors. These safety features will remain closed during transit and open only at designated stations, helping to prevent accidents caused by overcrowding and unsafe boarding.
Taken together, these projects mark a transformative phase in Mumbai’s rail infrastructure, aiming to redefine commuter experience and reinforce the backbone of the city’s transport network.
Source: Swarajya
