The Western Railway (WR) is set to introduce a new air-conditioned (AC) local train to its suburban fleet by early December. This development will increase the total number of operational AC trains to eight, allowing WR to replace 10-12 non-AC trains without disrupting the existing timetable, according to railway officials.
The new AC rake, manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, is expected to arrive in Mumbai this week. After completing a series of trials and tests, it will be deployed to augment the current tally of 96 AC services operating on WR’s busy suburban routes. Officials believe the addition will reduce the frequency of technical failures that often result in AC trains being substituted with non-AC rakes at short notice. Daily ridership on WR’s suburban network, which spans routes from Churchgate to Dahanu and Goregaon to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), hovers around 130,000 passengers. With a total of 1,406 daily local services, the introduction of the new rake is seen as a step forward in meeting the growing demand for modern and comfortable travel options.
WR, which currently operates seven AC rakes, had earlier requested additional AC trains from the Railway Board to cater to commuter demands. Four new rakes have been prioritised for WR for 2023-24 and 2024-25. However, WR has also called for an increase in the air-conditioning capacity of the rakes from 15 tonnes to 17 tonnes, ensuring better comfort in Mumbai’s sweltering climate. Under the World Bank-funded Mumbai Urban Transport Project, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation plans to procure 238 AC rakes to eventually replace all non-AC locals. However, concerns over affordability for a large section of commuters have delayed full-scale implementation. The introduction of new AC trains is expected to strike a balance, offering modern amenities while maintaining accessibility for all.
