Big News for Mumbai: Indian Railways Approves 238 New AC Local Trains
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This move by Indian Railways is a major step forward in modernizing Mumbai’s public transport. With 238 new AC local trains, better infrastructure, and new safety systems, daily travel will soon become a lot better for everyone in Mumbai.
Stay tuned as the first new trains hit the tracks and change the way Mumbai moves!
In a major decision that will benefit thousands of daily travelers, Indian Railways has approved 238 new air-conditioned (AC) local trains for Mumbai’s crowded suburban network. This approval comes after two years of waiting, as earlier tenders were issued and then suddenly withdrawn without explanation.
The demand for AC trains has been rising in Mumbai due to the extreme weather and growing crowd levels. These new trains aim to make commuting easier, cooler, and more comfortable for everyone.
This move follows a promise made earlier this year by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. Many people had earlier protested against high AC train ticket prices, which caused delays in the plan. Now, the central government has finally cleared the way to add these new trains under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).
Alongside new AC trains, the Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar has also shared exciting news about non-AC trains. By December, two prototypes of automatic door closing systems will be ready for testing.
These doors will help prevent accidents and make train travel safer. Once the trials are successful, these automatic doors will be rolled out on all non-AC locals by the end of 2025.
The automatic door systems are currently being built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. After proper testing, they will be fitted on more trains. This change is a big leap toward modernizing India’s local train systems and ensuring more safety for daily passengers.
The total of 238 AC trains will be introduced in two main phases:
Currently:
Western Railway runs 109 AC services, moving around 1.25 lakh commuters every day.
To reduce crowding, 12-coach trains will be upgraded to 15-coach versions. This means more people can travel at the same time without discomfort.
Mumbai is one of the busiest cities in India, and its local trains are the city’s lifeline. With over 7 million daily passengers, overcrowding is a constant issue. These new AC trains with modern features aim to:
Reduce travel stress
Handle more passengers efficiently
Now that all previous challenges in the tender process have been resolved, Indian Railways is all set to move forward. Tenders for the new AC trains will be floated soon, and Mumbaikars can look forward to smoother, safer, and more comfortable commutes in the near future.
Stay tuned as the first new trains hit the tracks and change the way Mumbai moves!
Indian Railways Takes a Big Step for Mumbai
In a major decision that will benefit thousands of daily travelers, Indian Railways has approved 238 new air-conditioned (AC) local trains for Mumbai’s crowded suburban network. This approval comes after two years of waiting, as earlier tenders were issued and then suddenly withdrawn without explanation.The demand for AC trains has been rising in Mumbai due to the extreme weather and growing crowd levels. These new trains aim to make commuting easier, cooler, and more comfortable for everyone.
Promise Fulfilled by the Railway Minister
This move follows a promise made earlier this year by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. Many people had earlier protested against high AC train ticket prices, which caused delays in the plan. Now, the central government has finally cleared the way to add these new trains under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).Automatic Doors Coming for Non-AC Trains Too
Alongside new AC trains, the Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar has also shared exciting news about non-AC trains. By December, two prototypes of automatic door closing systems will be ready for testing. These doors will help prevent accidents and make train travel safer. Once the trials are successful, these automatic doors will be rolled out on all non-AC locals by the end of 2025.
Who Is Building the New Systems?
The automatic door systems are currently being built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. After proper testing, they will be fitted on more trains. This change is a big leap toward modernizing India’s local train systems and ensuring more safety for daily passengers. Breakdown of the New Train Plan
The total of 238 AC trains will be introduced in two main phases:- Under MUTP-3, 47 trains will be bought at a cost of ₹3,491 crore.
- Under MUTP-3A, 191 trains will be added for ₹15,802 crore.
More Trains, More Passengers, More Comfort
Currently: - Central Railway runs 80 AC train services daily, carrying nearly 79,000 passengers.
Why This Is Great News for Mumbaikars
Mumbai is one of the busiest cities in India, and its local trains are the city’s lifeline. With over 7 million daily passengers, overcrowding is a constant issue. These new AC trains with modern features aim to: - Increase commuter comfort
- Boost safety with automatic doors
What’s Next?
Now that all previous challenges in the tender process have been resolved, Indian Railways is all set to move forward. Tenders for the new AC trains will be floated soon, and Mumbaikars can look forward to smoother, safer, and more comfortable commutes in the near future. Next Story