The Mumbai–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express is set to be upgraded from eight coaches to 16 coaches following consistently high passenger demand on the route. The move is expected to increase seating capacity during festivals and peak tourist season. According to Railway officials, the train has recorded average occupancy levels of over 105% in recent months. Between April and May, trains 22229 and 22230 carried 58,394 passengers against an available capacity of 55,120 seats. The highest occupancy of 109.33% was recorded on the Madgaon–Mumbai service in May.
16-Coach rake to be introduced soon
Officials said planning for the expansion is in its final stages and the 16-coach rake will be introduced shortly. The Mumbai–Goa Vande Bharat has become one of the most popular services on the Konkan route, offering faster and more comfortable connectivity between the two destinations. Alongside the coach expansion, Konkan Railway has stepped up work on its long-pending 263-kilometre track doubling project. The upgrade includes three new stations, additional loop lines, modern signaling systems and improved infrastructure for both passenger and freight services.
More capacity planned for the future
Railway officials have also indicated that additional Vande Bharat services and higher-capacity trains could be considered as passenger numbers continue to grow. The coach expansion and infrastructure upgrades are expected to make travel between Mumbai and Goa faster, smoother and more convenient for passengers.
