The Central Railway (CR) has declared 2025 a historic year, achieving remarkable milestones in heritage preservation, operational performance, and future-ready transformation across its vast network. The year held special significance as it commemorated a century of rail electrification in the region.
A Century of Electric Power and Record-Breaking Performance
The year 2025 marked 100 years since the first electric train journey on the network, which ran from Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) to Coorla (now Kurla) on the Harbour Line in 1925. CR Chief Spokesperson Swapnil Nila highlighted this as the pivotal moment that sparked a hundred years of modern railway development.
Operationally, the railway demonstrated exceptional strength. It facilitated the travel of over 1,500 million passengers and generated a total revenue surpassing Rs 16,110 crore from passenger services, coaching, and other streams. Its freight division maintained robust momentum by loading 73.37 million tonnes
Passenger-Centric Upgrades and Enhanced Connectivity
Significant investments were made to improve passenger convenience and accessibility. In 2025, Central Railway installed 21 new escalators and 23 lifts at various stations, greatly aiding senior citizens, women, children, and passengers with reduced mobility.
Suburban connectivity, especially towards the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, received a major boost. Ten additional services were introduced between Nerul/Belapur and Uran. Furthermore, two new suburban stations, Targhar and Gavan, were commissioned on this route, improving access for rapidly expanding residential and industrial zones.
To modernize ticketing, Mobile UTS Sahayaks were deployed at CSMT, allowing staff to issue tickets on the spot using handheld devices that accept both cash and digital payments. Enforcement efforts were also intensified, leading to the detection of 37.55 lakh cases of ticketless or unauthorized travel and the collection of Rs 216.6 crore in penalties.
Pioneering Safety Tech and Sustainable Initiatives
In a major technological leap, Central Railway became the first zonal railway in India to complete KAVACH anti-collision system trials across all its five divisions within a six-month period. This achievement was backed by comprehensive staff training and plans for network-wide deployment of the safety system.
Other innovations included a specially designed senior-citizen-friendly EMU compartment, the implementation of Optical Ground Wire communication, and in-house solutions for monsoon preparedness and real-time water-level monitoring in coaches.
Aligning with Indian Railways' net-zero 2030 mission, CR advanced its sustainability agenda through Open Access power procurement, securing greener and more cost-effective electricity. The year also featured vibrant community engagement, including the 150th-anniversary celebration of "Vande Mataram" at CSMT, all-women crew operations on International Women's Day, and Station Mahotsavs at 15 locations.
Passenger welfare remained a core focus. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) rescued 1,499 children under Operation Nanhe Farishte and saved 69 lives under Operation Jeevan Rakshak, underscoring the human-centric approach of the railway administration.
