Mumbai News: 238 AC locals, new terminuses & automatic doors coming soon

After two-year delay, Indian Railways has cleared the procurement of 238 AC local trains for Mumbai. Railway Board CEO Satish Kumar announced that tenders will soon be floated, with the undertaking falling under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-3 & 3A) at a cost of ₹19,293 crore.

This move is expected to enhance the commuter experience, addressing the growing demand for better travel options.

Currently, Mumbai's suburban network runs 189 air-conditioned local train services daily across Central and Western Railway lines, serving more than 200,000 passengers. The introduction of new trains will alleviate overcrowding and enhance comfort, with plans to expand existing 12-car trains to 15-car units to accommodate even more passengers.

In addition, the Railway Board is working on prototypes for non-AC trains with automatic door-closing mechanisms, set to roll out by December 2025. Kumar also highlighted the importance of integrating suburban and metro services, with ongoing efforts to enhance stations like Ghatkopar and Khar for better multi-modal connectivity.

Moreover, ₹1,100 crore is being invested to upgrade Nashik's railway infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela. The broader plan includes redeveloping Nashik station and upgrading key terminals across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to improve connectivity and accommodate increased traffic.