24 June,2026 06:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Western Railway charts expansion and speed upgrade plans across Mumbai. File Pic
Western Railway is working on a series of infrastructure projects aimed at increasing train speeds, improving passenger facilities and expanding services across its network.
Speaking during an informal interaction with journalists at the Western Railway headquarters in Churchgate on Tuesday, General Manager Ramashray Pandey said the ongoing upgrades are expected to reduce travel time and improve operational efficiency, reported PTI.
"We are upgrading routes where trains currently run at speeds of 100 kmph and 110 kmph to enable operations at 130 kmph. Simultaneously, the project to upgrade the Mumbai-Delhi trunk route from 130 kmph to 160 kmph is underway," Pandey said, reporetd the news agency.
Pandey said the operationalisation of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) could create additional capacity on existing railway lines. According to him, if more freight traffic is shifted to the DFC, Western Railway may be able to introduce additional passenger train services in future.
The railway zone has also requested three to four Vande Bharat sleeper trains for operation on different routes, he said.
Addressing questions about Garib Nagar in Bandra, which recently made headlines due to the demolition of illegal huts, Pandey said the area would be developed for railway-related infrastructure and passenger amenities.
He said some existing facilities, including a diesel shed, would be relocated to make space for new developments.
"After shifting these structures, ten new stabling lines will be constructed at Bandra Terminus. This will enable the introduction of at least ten new trains from the terminus," Pandey said, reported the news agency.
As per the news agency reoports, Western Railway is also planning to extend all five platforms at Mumbai Central terminus in phases over the next few years. Currently, the terminus can accommodate trains with up to 22 coaches. After the extension work is completed, the platforms will be able to handle longer 24-coach trains, helping improve passenger capacity on long-distance services.
Pandey said Western Railway has recorded a decline in passenger numbers over the past two months. According to him, ridership fell by 2 per cent during the period, compared to a 0.2 per cent decline recorded during the previous financial year.
He suggested that the growing Metro network could be one of the reasons behind the dip in railway passenger traffic, with some commuters possibly shifting to Metro services.
(With PTI Inputs)
