Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a budget of INR 15,940 crore for Maharashtra's railway projects, part of an ongoing investment totaling INR 1.3 lakh crore. Key initiatives include redeveloping 128 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme and adding 250 new local trains over the next five years. Maharashtra has achieved full railway electrification and lays 180 km of new tracks annually. Significant upgrades to Mumbai's suburban network, serving millions daily, are planned under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project. Experts highlight urgent needs to tackle congestion and improve connectivity for the growing population. The Railway Ministry aims to boost service frequency and safety with advanced systems like Kavach 4.0.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a substantial budget allocation of INR 15,940 crore for Maharashtra's railway projects. The state currently has 41 ongoing projects covering a 5,877-km rail network, with a total value of INR 81,580 crore. Among the significant initiatives is the redevelopment of 128 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme. Maharashtra has achieved 100% railway electrification and lays 180 km of new tracks annually. Vaishnaw emphasised that the total railway investment in the state stands at INR 1.3 lakh crore, with substantial funds dedicated to various projects in this year's budget.
Mumbai's suburban railway network, which operates 3,213 trains daily, will undergo considerable enhancement. Presently, 1,819 local trains run on the Central Railway and 1,394 on the Western Railway, serving 40 lakh and 35 lakh passengers, respectively. Under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), new 5th and 6th railway tracks between Kurla and CSMT will provide separate routes for local and mail-express trains. This initiative, along with the addition of 250 new local trains over the next five years, will ease congestion and improve travel comfort for Mumbaikars.
While the state government has lauded the increased budget allocation for railway projects, some experts have voiced concerns about the priorities and immediate solutions required to address Mumbai's transportation challenges. A. V. Shenoy, a transport expert from the Mumbai Mobility Forum, highlighted the urgent need for solutions to tackle daily congestion in local trains. He observed that Mumbai's expanding population and the rising number of residents relocating to distant suburbs for affordable housing require enhanced connectivity via local trains. Shenoy urged the railways to focus on addressing these critical issues to ease the daily commute for millions of residents.
Ashok Datar, another prominent transport expert, expressed disappointment over the budget allocation for Mumbai. He criticised the government's focus on highways and cars rather than the existing railway system, which is extensively used by common people, including salaried workers, migrants, and labourers. Datar argued that the plan to add local trains over the next five years is insufficient and noted the lack of announcements regarding AC locals, metro expansions, or other crucial enhancements. In addition, the Railways plan to introduce 50 new mail-express trains from Mumbai.
The Central Railway plans to establish new terminus facilities at Mulund, Parel, and Thakurli, while the Western Railway will develop one near Vasai Road. The mega terminus project will require nearly 7.5 acres of land. The Railway Ministry plans to shorten the interval between local trains in Mumbai from 3 minutes to 2.5 minutes, boosting service frequency and easing commutes. With Research Design and Standards Organisation's (RDSO's) approval of Kavach 4.0, the rollout of advanced railway protection systems will accelerate, enhancing safety through integrated hardware, software, and optical fibre.
Minister Vaishnaw recognised the challenge of integrating these systems across railway networks. The comprehensive approach to improving Maharashtra's railway infrastructure underscores a commitment to enhancing travel efficiency, safety, and comfort for millions of commuters while addressing the growing demands of the state's transportation needs.
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