Mumbai’s suburban railway network could undergo a major expansion under the proposed fourth phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-IV), with Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd. (MRVC) beginning a technical study to map the system’s requirements up to 2047.
The study will assess future passenger demand for 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2047, while identifying the need for new suburban corridors, additional tracks, station upgrades and safety improvements across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Planning for Future Rail Demand
MRVC’s assessment will examine extensions to existing routes, new rail corridors and additional tracks to separate suburban services from long-distance and mainline trains. It will also explore improvements to fast and slow services, platforms suitable for 15-car trains and new railway terminals at locations expected to witness higher passenger demand.
The exercise will take into account the Updated Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS) 2021, along with ongoing, approved and proposed transport projects across the MMR.
A major focus will be emerging development zones such as the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) and Mumbai 3.0/Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town. MRVC will assess their projected mobility requirements and determine how suburban rail infrastructure can be extended to support these new urban centres.
Technology and Safety in Focus
The study will also evaluate upgrades such as Kavach 5.0, advanced signalling, additional AC EMUs, power-supply improvements, stabling facilities and EMU maintenance infrastructure.
Passenger safety will remain a key priority under the proposed “Mission Zero Death” approach. Consultants will study passenger fatalities and injuries, track trespassing, access points to railway lines and the feasibility of stronger access-control systems at stations.
Around 40 remaining suburban stations will also be examined for improvements, including wider platforms, additional foot overbridges and decks, escalators, lifts, improved entry and exit arrangements and better circulation areas. Integration with other modes of public transport will also form part of the assessment.
The initial study will create a broad list of potential projects, along with indicative costs and implementation requirements. These proposals will then be submitted to MRVC, zonal railways and the state government for prioritisation. Selected projects will subsequently move to Detailed Project Reports, covering detailed costs and financial and economic viability.
MRVC Chairman and Managing Director Vilas Sopan Wadekar said the corporation was committed to building a safer, higher-capacity and commuter-focused suburban railway system.
“This will include additional corridors, all AC rakes, improvements of balance stations, trespass control measures, CBTC/Kavach-5 for entire network etc.,” he said, adding that the study would also examine the mobility requirements of NAINA and Mumbai 3.0.
The MUTP-IV planning exercise could therefore shape Mumbai’s suburban rail network well beyond the present decade, linking future residential and economic growth centres with a more modern and higher-capacity commuter system.
Source: The Free Press Journal
