Holidayers push for longer 16 or 20-coach rake as Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat runs packed every trip
The service was flagged off in June 2023 and has been popular from day one. File pic
The popular Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express (Train 22229–22230) operates with just eight coaches, making it shorter than even a Mumbai local train which runs with 12 or 15 cars. With holiday rush increasing, passengers are demanding that the train be expanded for a more comfortable and accessible journey.
History
The service was flagged off in June 2023 and has been popular from day one. It was originally scheduled for inauguration on June 3, 2023, but was postponed following the Odisha train collision, and was later launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 27, 2023, via video conference from Rani Kamalapati (Habibganj) railway station.
Demand for a longer train
Passenger groups are now pushing for the train to be upgraded from its current eight-coach formation to a 16 or 20-coach rake to meet soaring demand on the Mumbai Konkan Goa corridor. The recent transfer of ownership and primary maintenance of the Jalna-Mumbai and Solapur-Mumbai Vande Bharat services to the Nanded Division from August 27, 2025, has freed up two maintenance slots, making augmentation operationally feasible.
Benefits of augmentation
Upgrading the rake would significantly increase capacity and reduce long waiting lists. It would boost revenue and improve passenger comfort, especially during peak travel periods such as Ganpati, Christmas, and New Year.
Suggested measures
Shift: Moving the train’s maintenance base to Madgaon would make operating a 16 or 20-coach rake technically feasible and avoid pit line constraints in Mumbai.
Develop: If Madgaon currently lacks pit lines and facilities for Vande Bharat maintenance, officials say the Railway Board should prioritise developing the required infrastructure to support long-term operations and future premium services.
Transfer: Passenger groups have also suggested transferring ownership and primary maintenance of Train 22229–22230 to Konkan Railway at Madgaon to enable the operation of a full 20-coach rake.
Voices
Jayawant Shankar Darekar commuter
“A longer train is required. We earnestly propose shifting the ownership and primary maintenance of the Mumbai-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express to Madgaon under KRCL. It will meet public demand and improve efficiency, connectivity, and service quality.”
Akshay Mahapadi commuter activist
“The long-pending demand to upgrade the train from eight coaches to 16 or 20 continues to be ignored. The train has consistently recorded very high occupancy and remains crucial for the Mumbai Konkan Goa region.”
Official speak
A Central Railway spokesperson
“Mumbai-Goa is one of our popular routes with consistently high occupancy. We definitely want to increase the coaches, but we do not have an additional rake at the moment. We are waiting for a new rake from the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.”
The occupancy numbers
Chair Car 101.92%
Executive Class 94.57%
Chair Car 88.95%
Executive Class 86.50%
CSMT to Goa (Madgaon)
Total 101.20%
Goa (Madgaon) to CSMT
Total 88.71%
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