The Indian Railways is undertaking a major upgrade of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network, with plans to extend 34 platforms to accommodate longer 15-coach local trains. The move is part of infrastructure projects worth Rs 33,000 crore under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), aimed at easing overcrowding and improving commuter safety.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that work to lengthen platforms is already in progress. The initiative will allow suburban trains to operate with additional coaches, thereby increasing passenger capacity across the city’s heavily used local railway network.
Replying to a question raised by Ravindra Waikar, Member of Parliament from Mumbai North West, the minister said several projects under MUTP are currently being implemented to modernise infrastructure and address the issue of overcrowding in local trains. As part of safety improvements, automatic doors are also being installed in 238 suburban train sets to reduce accidents and prevent passengers from falling off overcrowded coaches.
During Question Hour, Waikar highlighted concerns about the rising number of passengers using the suburban rail system and the fatalities caused by falls from moving trains. He noted that 26,547 commuters lost their lives between 2015 and May 2025 due to such incidents. While the number of deaths has reportedly declined by around seven per cent this year, the average still stands at about six fatalities per day.
The MP also asked the Railway Ministry about measures being taken to reduce congestion in local trains and sought updates on the timeline for doubling the Konkan Railway line.
In response, the minister said redevelopment and infrastructure improvement works are underway at several major stations across the suburban network. These include Bandra Railway Station, Mumbai Central Railway Station, Jogeshwari Railway Station, Dadar Railway Station, Vasai Road Railway Station, Parel Railway Station, Virar Railway Station, Dahanu Road Railway Station, Mira Road Railway Station, Panvel Railway Station, Kalyan Junction Railway Station and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.
Regarding the Konkan Railway expansion, Vaishnaw said the Detailed Project Report for doubling the line is currently being prepared. The project involves participation from four states—Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala—with approvals already received from Maharashtra and Goa, while consent from Karnataka and Kerala is still pending.
Source: The Free Press Journal
