Mumbai local trains to get a major upgrade; 15-car rakes and new AC coaches announced

Mumbai’s packed local trains are set for long-awaited relief as Central Railway (CR) moves to upgrade 20 of its 12-coach rakes into 15-coach trains, significantly boosting carrying capacity across the network. To support the expansion, platforms at nearly 34 stations will also be extended to accommodate the longer rakes.

Tenders have been issued to add three coaches to each of the 20 existing trains. Once the tender process wraps up, the upgrade of both rakes and platforms is expected to be completed within a year; placing the likely completion timeline around mid-2026.

Each upgraded train will carry roughly 25% more passengers, adding about 1,200 extra seats per trip and easing the chronic overcrowding faced by Mumbai’s daily commuters.

On November 6, that struggle turned visible when a protest by motormen brought Central Railway to a standstill, leaving thousands stranded at packed stations like CSMT, Masjid, and Byculla. "Dombivli to Ghatkopar should take 25 minutes. Today it took 52 minutes," one exasperated commuter posted online. "Trains are overcrowded to the point of danger. If someone falls or dies, who takes responsibility?"

The frustration only heightened when trains resumed, packed to dangerous levels.

This ongoing overcrowding makes the recent upgrade to 15-car trains a crucial step for Mumbai’s millions of daily passengers. With the addition of three coaches per train, the capacity will increase by 25%, adding 3.12 to 3.36 lakh additional slots per day. Each train will run 12–13 trips, amplifying the relief during peak hours.

The conversion isn’t just about adding more coaches, it’s a major overhaul, involving platform extensions and electrical system upgrades at key stations along the Kalyan-Kasara-Khopoli route. Work at other stations will continue until March 2026.

In response, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised a future where the city's local trains feel more like metro services. He announced the introduction of 268 new air-conditioned trains with automatic doors, all while keeping second-class fares unchanged. Speaking at the IIMUN Youth Connect event, Fadnavis called Mumbai's local trains the "lifeline" of the city, highlighting the daily struggle of 90 lakh commuters facing overcrowding and safety risks. These new "metro-like" trains will be designed to bring comfort and reduce the risks passengers face, especially following recent tragedies.