Mumbai’s suburban rail network is set for a transformative upgrade, with the Western Railway outlining a three-year blueprint to develop dedicated corridors for local trains. The plan aims to segregate suburban services from long-distance express and mail trains, enhancing operational efficiency and potentially reshaping the daily commute for millions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
According to senior railway officials, the blueprint’s central focus is on completing under-construction corridors between Khar Road and Dahanu, which will allow suburban trains to operate independently. This infrastructure separation is expected to increase service frequency, improve punctuality, and reduce congestion, benefiting the city’s growing commuter base. Progress on the project is already visible. The sixth line between Bandra Terminus (Khar) and Goregaon was commissioned in November 2023, followed by the Goregaon-Kandivli stretch in October 2024. The remaining section between Kandivli and Borivli is scheduled for completion by October 2025, creating a continuous Bandra Terminus-Borivli corridor dedicated to suburban operations.
The second phase of the plan involves reviving the long-pending addition of two new lines between Bandra and Mumbai Central, targeted for completion by August 2027. Officials said this expansion will significantly relieve one of the busiest rail sections in the country. Further north, the addition of a fifth and sixth line between Borivli and Virar is in the sanctioning stage, with a December 2027 completion goal. The Virar to Dahanu stretch, which currently has only two tracks, will see the construction of a third and fourth line by December 2026, removing a major bottleneck and improving regional connectivity.
The project also includes extending the Harbour line from Goregaon to Borivli by December 2027, creating new travel options for commuters in western suburbs and integrating the suburban network more effectively. Railway planners believe this multi-stage expansion will not only increase train capacity but also support the city’s sustainable mobility goals. By enabling more suburban trains and reducing delays, the dedicated corridors can encourage greater use of public transport, reducing road congestion and associated carbon emissions.
Urban mobility experts note that these upgrades, if executed on schedule, could significantly shift Mumbai’s commuter dynamics. A more reliable and frequent suburban rail system would improve travel times, enhance passenger comfort, and reduce dependence on polluting private vehicles, contributing to the city’s ambition of becoming an equitable, eco-friendly urban centre. For millions of daily passengers, the real change will be felt in shorter waits, smoother rides, and fewer delays—a critical improvement for a city where suburban trains form the backbone of urban life. The coming years will test the railway’s ability to deliver this large-scale modernisation on time, but the potential rewards for Mumbai’s transport resilience are substantial.
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