Central Railway’s ambition to ease overcrowding on Mumbai’s Main line by expanding its fleet to 15‑car local trains remains stalled nearly seven years after its launch. While Western Railway now runs over 210 15‑car services, Central still operates just 22, confined to its CSMT–Kalyan fast corridor, leaving commuters beyond Kalyan grappling with packed 12‑car rakes.
Launched in 2018 with an estimated ₹900 crore investment, the plan was triggered by public outrage over dangerous overcrowding and accidents, following viral videos in 2015. Yet, despite commitments to retrofit platforms, modify signalling and add stabling infrastructure at stations like Titwala, Ambernath and Badlapur, progress has been negligible In stark contrast, Western Railway has aggressively expanded its 15‑car fleet to more than 210 services, including 97 on fast lines and 114 on slow services between Andheri and Virar. Local commuter groups argue that if Western Railway can overcome similar challenges, Central Railway must follow suit.
A senior Central Railway official noted a 15‑car rake increases capacity from 3,504 to 4,380 passengers — a 25 per cent rise that could significantly reduce overcrowding. However, delays in extending platforms, upgrading overhead equipment and shifting signals have kept most stations beyond Kalyan off‑limits to longer trains. An update published last October demonstrated intent: Central Railway aims to upgrade all suburban stations beyond Thane to accommodate 15‑car trains by the end of this financial year. Work is underway to extend platforms at Kalyan–Badlapur and Kalyan–Asangaon, with plans for Badlapur–Karjat and Asangaon–Kasara—an upgrade expected to benefit approximately 225,000 daily commuters.
Infrastructure expert commentary highlights the complexity of retrofitting an over‑crowded network—and warns that delays in adding H‑pole signals and stabilising tracks could worsen commuter safety . Meanwhile, Central Railway has started demolishing outdated structures at CSMT to extend platforms five and six and identified land parcels near Ambernath and Badlapur for future stabling yards Yet implementation remains glacial. In comparison, Western Railway’s efficiency in platform expansion—completed at 27 stations between Andheri and Virar at roughly ₹60–70 crore by 2021—and its transition of 100 more rakes to 15 cars by end‑2025, underline the disparity.
Commuter associations have demanded urgent action. One advocate notes that even two new 15‑car services on the Kasara/Karjat corridor could ease overcrowding—though railway officials caution that additional coaches may slow schedule recovery and affect punctuality. As Mumbai enters another monsoon season, Central Railway’s failure to scale up longer rakes threatens both commuter comfort and safety. Infrastructure upgrades, platform extensions, and rolling‑stock enhancements have been repeatedly promised—but for millions relying on daily locals, the commute remains cramped, uncertain, and in need of resolution.
Unless Central Railway fast‑tracks execution this year, its 2018 blueprint risks becoming another unfulfilled civic promise—leaving city transport resilience dangerously compromised.
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