Mumbai’s suburban railway network is set for a significant capacity boost as long-delayed car shed projects at Bhivpuri and Vangaon advance following land acquisition and regulatory clearances. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has allocated Rs 2,353 crore under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase 3A for the construction of these key maintenance depots, with targeted completion by December 2026.
The Bhivpuri car shed on the Central Railway, situated between Bhivpuri Road and Karjat stations, will service 20 full-length local trains and support the Panvel-Karjat corridor, which is already over 90% complete. Land acquisition for the facility is now fully completed, with 42.28 hectares of private land and 2.96 hectares of government land secured. MRVC has finalised tenders for site development, including bridge extension, boundary walls, drainage, and internal roads. A Letter of Acceptance has been issued, and physical execution has commenced, marking a key milestone in the project.
On the Western Railway, the Vangaon depot will provide similar capacity, collectively increasing maintenance infrastructure for 130 trains. Stage I forest clearance granted on 6 February cleared a major regulatory hurdle, allowing construction to proceed after years of delay. Both sheds will feature advanced sensor-based automated train inspection systems, capable of maintaining 65 trains simultaneously, replacing current manual procedures.
The expansion addresses a pressing capacity crunch in Mumbai, where six existing car sheds at Kurla, Kalwa, Sanpada, Mumbai Central, Kandivali, and Virar currently handle over 250 local trains daily. The new facilities will support the deployment of 238 Vande Metro air-conditioned trains, with MRVC having invited tenders for 2,856 coaches expected from 2026 onwards.
Part of the broader Rs 33,000 crore MUTP-3A programme, this initiative complements earlier MUTP phases to enhance suburban railway capacity through new lines, rolling stock, and modernised infrastructure. Combined with MUTP-3, Mumbai is set to receive 257 new AC local trains, transforming daily commuting across the metropolitan region.
Source: Swarajya
