In a major relief for millions of daily commuters, Mumbai's railway authorities have unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly expand the capacity of the city's suburban network. Officials from Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) announced on Saturday that a series of infrastructure upgrades will lead to the introduction of hundreds of new train services over the next four to five years.
Massive Surge in Suburban and Long-Distance Services
The plan outlines a substantial increase in both local and outstation trains. Central Railway will add 584 new suburban services, while Western Railway will introduce 165 additional services on its suburban network. For long-distance travel, the expansion is equally impressive. WR plans to launch 65 new outstation trains from Mumbai and augment existing trains with an extra 70 coaches daily. CR will also introduce 30 new long-distance trains.
WR's chief spokesperson, Vineet Abhishek, stated that the primary objective is to augment carrying capacity and, more critically, reduce the severe overcrowding that plagues suburban coaches. "With the completion of various infrastructure work, the suburban traffic will be segregated from main line traffic. This will release additional capacity for suburban operations," Abhishek explained.
Key Infrastructure Projects Driving the Change
The capacity boost hinges on several critical infrastructure projects that are currently underway or planned. Central Railway's upgrades include:
- Parel-Kurla 5th and 6th line.
- Deck at Kurla for Harbour line and 5th and 6th line.
- Kalyan-Kasara 3rd and 4th line.
On the Western Railway front, multiple projects are progressing rapidly. The extension of the Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivli is moving at a fast pace. Furthermore, the extension of platform lengths on the Bandra–Andheri section to accommodate 15-car trains is in the pipeline.
A crucial project is the Naigaon–Juichandra double chord line, being executed at a cost of Rs 176 crore. This line will enable direct connectivity towards the Konkan Railway, eliminating the need for locomotive reversal at Vasai Road. This paves the way for new train services and smoother travel for passengers from Western suburbs heading to Konkan, Goa, and beyond.
Focus on the 6th Line and AC Local Trains
A significant part of the plan revolves around the 6th line project. Under Phase I, work on the Kandivli–Borivli stretch is in its final stages and is slated for completion by January 2026. Abhishek confirmed that 20 new train services will be introduced after the 6th line extension work is completed till Borivli.
Passengers can also look forward to more AC local trains in the near future. The introduction of these services will depend on when the new AC rakes get commissioned. Currently, WR operates 1,406 suburban services daily using 116 rakes and handles 44 long-distance trains from the Mumbai area.
"Capacity augmentation in Mumbai will be undertaken through terminal expansion, development of maintenance and stabling infrastructure," Abhishek added, outlining the comprehensive approach to decongesting one of the world's busiest rail networks.
