Mumbai’s suburban railway network, the lifeline for over seven million daily commuters, is set for its biggest modernisation push yet with a proposal to procure 2,856 air-conditioned coaches capable of running as 12, 15 or 18-car trains. The plan, worth ₹21,000 crore under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), aims to reduce congestion and improve comfort in the world’s busiest suburban rail corridors.
Officials confirmed that tenders for the new coaches will be floated this month, with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) as the implementing agency. Unlike earlier plans limited to 12-car rakes, the new AC fleet will be designed as fully vestibule trains that can be extended to 18 cars, subject to parallel upgrades in platforms, signalling and track infrastructure. This flexibility will allow the system to respond to rising passenger demand and peak-hour crowding. The state cabinet has already cleared its share of the project, which will be jointly funded by Indian Railways and the state government without external loans. By avoiding foreign borrowings, the procurement will comply with the Centre’s Make in India policy, ensuring domestic manufacturing and greater control over costs. Officials acknowledged that the plan has seen a cost escalation of around 9 per cent since it was first drafted in 2019, but argued that the design shift to longer trains would deliver long-term capacity benefits.
The expanded AC locals are expected to feature cushioned seating, energy-efficient cooling systems and mobile charging points, making them significantly more commuter-friendly. For a city where weather extremes and overcrowding define daily journeys, the upgrade is being seen as essential to improve both passenger comfort and safety. Experts added that modern vestibule designs also help distribute passenger loads more evenly across cars, further easing the boarding experience. The first prototype of the new AC rake is expected by the end of the decade, with officials estimating a six-to-seven-year window before the trains enter bulk production. Trials of at least six months will precede commercial rollout.
In parallel, the cabinet has also cleared multiple rail infrastructure projects under MUTP-3B, including third and fourth lines on the Pune-Lonavala corridor and critical expansions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region such as the Panvel-Vasai, Asangaon-Kasara and Badlapur-Karjat sections. Together, these works represent an additional investment of nearly ₹20,000 crore. Transport planners view the combined set of projects as a decisive moment for Mumbai’s railways. By building capacity through longer, energy-efficient AC trains while expanding suburban corridors, the authorities are positioning the city for a more sustainable and commuter-friendly future. While challenges remain in balancing fares with affordability, the vision is to create a network that is not only bigger but also cleaner, safer and more inclusive for the decades ahead.
Also Read : Mumbai To Add 2856 AC Coaches Enhancing Suburban Travel Under MUTP Project
