The Mumbai Central division of Western Railway (WR) is set to introduce 12 new suburban train services, augmenting the daily service count from 1,394 to 1,406. This expansion, anticipated to commence next month, is aimed at bolstering commuter convenience and operational efficiency across the city’s rail network. A senior WR official has confirmed that a formal proposal for these new services has been submitted to the railway headquarters for approval.
While the exact implementation date remains undecided, it is projected that the new services will be launched following the completion of the ongoing six-line expansion project between Goregaon and Kandivali. This crucial infrastructure project is expected to conclude by the first week of October, thereby enabling additional train paths for the new services. The proposed expansion includes upgrading ten existing services from 12-car to 15-car rakes to accommodate increased passenger demand. Moreover, several suburban routes will experience rerouting; notably, services currently operating on the CSMT-Borivali Harbour line will be redirected to the Churchgate-Virar corridor.
Specifically, the 12 new services will include:
- Four trains between Dadar and Virar.
- One train between Virar and Churchgate.
- One train between Borivali and Churchgate.
- Two trains between Churchgate and Andheri.
- Three trains between Churchgate and Goregaon.
- One train between Churchgate and Nalasopara.
Additionally, the proposal outlines modifications for 16 existing suburban services, including a shift from slower to faster corridors. These changes are intended to minimise travel time and enhance overall connectivity within the suburban rail network. This strategic enhancement is expected to not only alleviate congestion but also improve the efficiency of Mumbai’s rail system, offering commuters a more seamless and reliable travel experience.