Local trains are one of Mumbai’s most vital modes of transport, but long queues, overcrowded compartments, and limited services often make the commute exhausting. To ease these challenges, Western Railway is set to introduce 15-car local trains on the Virar–Dahanu stretch, offering much-needed relief for passengers. Read to know more details.
15-Car Local Trains On Virar- Dahanu Stretch
After six years of daily requests and follow-ups, the Virar-Dahanu route in Mumbai is now getting 15-carriage locals. It’s a big moment for the passengers travelling between these stations. According to The Free Press Journal, this upgrade is expected to reduce crowding and enhance the daily travel experience for thousands of commuters on Western Railway.
Another piece of good news is that these new trains are expected to run as fast services between Churchgate and Virar. While the exact schedule and number of trains are yet to be finalised, it is speculated that four to six 15-car services may be introduced in the first phase. If successful, further upgrades and additional services could be rolled out in the future.
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Passengers Seek Higher-Capacity Services On This Route
The demand for higher-capacity trains on this route is increasing every year. Back in 2020–21, stations like Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Palghar, Umroli, Boisar, Vangaon, and Dahanu Road together saw about one lakh passengers daily. Today, that number has shot up to nearly 2.5 lakh, reported The Free Press Journal. With these huge numbers, it therefore became important for the Railways to upgrade their services.
A senior railway official has also confirmed that the construction of the third and fourth railway lines between Virar and Dahanu Road is moving ahead smoothly. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC) is handling the project, and it is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. Once these new lines open, they will increase capacity, ease congestion, and make suburban train operations much smoother for daily commuters.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikipedia