Mumbai : Mumbai’s suburban railway network is set for a major transformation, with the Government accelerating both infrastructure expansion and the induction of new AC local trains.
Around ₹22,000 crore is being invested to augment suburban rail capacity through new corridors, additional railway lines, platform extensions to accommodate 15-coach trains, yard remodelling and other infrastructure upgrades.
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At the same time, the Government has approved 238 additional AC suburban rakes for Mumbai. While the original procurement process indicated that series production could take nearly three years—with the first rake arriving around 2030 and the complete fleet by 2034—the programme has now been fast-tracked.
Three Railway Units to Manufacture AC Rakes
To accelerate delivery, the 238 AC rakes will be manufactured simultaneously at three Railway production units:
- Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai
- Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala
- Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli
The parallel manufacturing strategy is expected to bring the first AC rake into service as early as 2027, with the entire fleet targeted for receipt by 2030.
MRVC CMD Shri Vilas S. Wadekar said the revised approach is aimed at synchronising the induction of AC rakes with the commissioning of new corridors, additional lines and other capacity-enhancement projects.
“Mumbai local is not merely a mode of transport; it is the lifeline of Mumbai and an integral part of the city’s everyday life,” he said, adding that the accelerated manufacturing programme would ensure that the benefits of AC suburban travel reach Mumbaikars substantially earlier.
The simultaneous expansion of railway infrastructure and accelerated induction of 238 AC rakes is expected to significantly improve the capacity, comfort and overall travel experience of Mumbai’s suburban commuters.
