Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban railway, is set for a significant upgrade. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that new-design trains will be introduced with enhanced acceleration, improved suspension, and advanced ventilation systems. These upgrades aim to offer a more comfortable journey and accommodate heavy passenger traffic efficiently.
Expansion of Local Train Services
To further improve connectivity, around 300 additional train services will be introduced in phases. This will increase the current 3,000 daily services by 10 percent. The expansion will be implemented after completing key infrastructure projects, including laying nearly 300 km of new railway tracks across Mumbai.
Faster and More Efficient Rail Network
Efforts are underway to reduce the time gap between two moving local trains from 180 seconds to 150 seconds, and eventually to 120 seconds. This change will allow more frequent services, reducing wait times and easing congestion during peak hours.
Major Investment in Mumbai’s Rail Infrastructure
The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated a record Rs 23,778 crore for railway projects in Maharashtra. This funding is 20 times higher than previous allocations. Additionally, Maharashtra has signed a tripartite agreement with the Central Government and RBI to ensure steady financing and timely completion of ongoing railway projects worth Rs 16,400 crore.
Signal Issue Causes Brief Delays
Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, a signal issue near Diva station briefly disrupted Central Railway services, causing delays of 12-15 minutes. The problem was quickly resolved, restoring normal operations by 6 AM, according to railway officials.
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