Mumbai’s suburban railway network is set for a fleet upgrade, with 238 metro-like air-conditioned trains expected to be introduced from 2027 and the entire suburban fleet targeted for conversion by March 2030, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday.
Fadnavis said the Centre has approved the manufacture of new suburban trains based on Metro-style designs. The trains will be produced at facilities that also manufacture modern trains, including Vande Bharat. They will feature automatic doors, air conditioning, improved cleanliness, and upgraded passenger facilities.
The announcement came during the e-inauguration of key Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) projects, the launch of the ‘Arjuna’ tunnel boring machine for the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project and the naming of the BKC-Eastern Express Highway flyover.
Chembur Metro to strengthen connectivity
Fadnavis said the newly opened Chembur Metro station would add another public transport option for commuters. He said around 60-70 km of new Metro routes are expected to become operational in the MMR this year.
Around 90 lakh passengers currently use Mumbai’s suburban railway network, while the expanding Metro system is being developed to serve nearly 70 lakh passengers.
SCLR Phase-2 link opens
The Chief Minister said the government had initiated plans in 2017-18 to develop connecting roads around BKC to address congestion. The network was subsequently expanded from six to eight links, with the final link inaugurated on Thursday.
The 1.40-km elevated corridor between Bharat Nagar Road and Vakola Junction is expected to improve east-west connectivity and reduce travel time by around 35 minutes.
Thane-Borivali tunnel work expands
The Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project is expected to create the country’s longest underground road tunnel, according to Fadnavis. The existing 23-km road journey will effectively be shortened to around 11 km, with travel time expected to fall to 12-15 minutes.
The first TBM, ‘Nayak’, is already working, while ‘Arjuna’ has now been launched. Two additional TBMs are expected to be deployed from the Borivali side.
BKC flyover named after former CM
The flyover connecting BKC’s G Block with the Eastern Express Highway has been named after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Barrister Babasaheb Anantrao Bhosale.
The Chembur Metro station, meanwhile, offers connections to suburban rail and Monorail and includes lifts, escalators, CCTV, accessibility facilities and a first-aid room. The SCLR Phase-2 corridor will provide a largely signal-free connection between the Eastern and Western Express Highways.
Source: The Free Press Journal
