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Centre Allocates Rs 17.77 Bn to Modernise City’s Suburban Rail Network

2025-05-19

More than two months after the general budget announcement, Indian Railways finally disclosed the funding allocated for the improvement of Mumbai’s suburban rail network for the year 2025-26. A total amount of Rs 17.77 billion has been earmarked for ongoing and proposed projects on the Central and Western Railway lines, marking a significant 125 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s budget allocation of Rs 7.89 billion.

These projects are part of various phases of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), a major initiative designed to expand and enhance the capacity of Mumbai’s suburban railway system. The state government is expected to contribute an equal amount, ensuring substantial funding to accelerate the progress of important rail projects focused on easing congestion, improving connectivity, and enhancing passenger convenience.

Officials from the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the implementing agency for the MUTP projects, stated that despite the large scale of ongoing projects, there is no shortage of funds. Vilas Wadekar, chairman and managing director of MRVC, conveyed that with this strong financial support, key MUTP projects—such as new corridors, station upgrades, and infrastructure improvements—are advancing steadily. He emphasized that these efforts are bringing Mumbai’s commuters closer to a faster, safer, and more efficient suburban railway network.

The Rs 17.77 billion allocation announced by the railway ministry includes Rs 1 billion for MUTP-II, Rs 8 billion for MUTP-III, and Rs 8.77 billion for MUTP-IIIA. Planned works include additional rail lines, extension of existing corridors, introduction of air-conditioned local trains, and improvement of railway stations.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), Central Railway has already initiated station improvement works and upgraded suburban stations such as Parel, Chinchpokli, Matunga, and Wadala. Authorities from Central Railway have identified 16 stations across the state for major upgradation.

The ABSS policy was formulated by the railways to modernize stations by providing facilities such as enhanced station buildings with architectural landscaping, modular sewage treatment plants, resurfaced platforms, and improved passenger amenities including better seating, drinking water facilities, lighting, and ventilation. The plan also includes the installation of modernized train indicators and passenger-friendly signage.