Mumbai News: Railway Board Chief Pushes For 15-Coach Locals To Boost Suburban Capacity; Reviews Khar Road Upgrade

Mumbai: Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Satish Kumar, has emphasized the need to introduce more 15-coach local trains to enhance the capacity of Mumbai’s suburban rail network. While inspecting the improvement work at Khar Road station, he suggested that authorities explore the feasibility of enabling all upgraded platforms to accommodate 15-coach rakes wherever possible

This initiative is aimed at addressing the growing passenger demand on the city’s congested suburban routes by maximizing train capacity. Kumar’s directive aligns with the broader push to modernize railway infrastructure and enhance the commuter experience in India’s rapidly expanding urban centers.

Late-Night Inspection at Khar Road Station

On Saturday, Kumar arrived in Mumbai at 10:05 PM and reached Khar Road Station by 10:40 PM. He conducted a late-night inspection of the ongoing Station Improvement Works, which continued until 11:20 PM. Kumar expressed satisfaction with the progress and praised the efforts of the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC).

The Khar Road Station upgrade, carried out at a cost of Rs 85 crore, is the first station to be transformed under the Rs 950 crore Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3A. The project aims to modernize 17 high-footfall suburban railway stations across Mumbai.

During his visit, Kumar advised Western Railway officials to ensure that the upgraded facilities are maintained to high standards.

Review of Nashik Kumbh Preparations

On Sunday, the Chairman visited Nashik to review preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela. According to sources, preparations are in full swing. Central Railway has sanctioned 33 projects related to the mega event; tenders have been invited for 22 of them, and 7 have already been finalized. The Nashik Kumbh Mela is scheduled to take place in 2027.