Mumbai, Sept 3:
In a major push to strengthen Mumbai’s suburban railway network, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday approved the release of ₹4,826 crore for the purchase of 238 air-conditioned (AC) local trains under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phases 3 and 3A (MUTP-3 & 3A).
The project is being implemented by the Mumbai Railway Development Corporation (MRDC). The purchase of these trains will be jointly funded by the Railways and the state government, without relying on external loans. The state’s share will amount to ₹2,413 crore, while the remaining contribution will come from the Railway Board. Final approval will also be sought from the Central Railway Board.
This decision follows the clearance given on August 19 by the cabinet infrastructure committee headed by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. At the time, Fadnavis had described the procurement of 238 AC local trains as the “biggest single addition” of modern rolling stock to Mumbai’s suburban network.
Highlighting the significance of the decision, the Chief Minister assured that fares for AC local trains would remain the same as general non-AC trains. He described the move as a “turning point” for Mumbai’s lifeline, stating that the new rakes would come equipped with closed doors, automatic systems, and metro-style facilities. These will gradually replace the older, doorless trains still running on Mumbai’s western and central lines.
In another major development, the cabinet also approved the construction of 136.652 km of new routes under the proposed MUTP-3B at an estimated cost of ₹14,907.47 crore. The state will bear half of this cost—₹7,453.73 crore.
Under MUTP-3B, three key railway projects have been sanctioned: the construction of the third and fourth lines between Badlapur-Karjat (32.46 km), the fourth line between Asangaon-Kasara (34.966 km), and a new suburban corridor connecting Panvel and Vasai (69.226 km). The projects will be executed by the MRDC and have been declared both an “Urgent Public Project” and an “Ambitious Urban Transport Project.”
Additionally, 50 per cent of funds raised from developing railway land in Bandra (East) will be adjusted against the state’s share, while the rest will be deposited into the Urban Transport Fund (UTF). The state also plans to request a surcharge on railway tickets, similar to MUTP-2, to further support the funding.
