5 hrs ago
India Announces East-West Rail Corridor for Unserved Maharashtra Areas
India plans to build a new railway corridor across the country.
It is expected to connect parts of Maharashtra that do not currently have railway service.
The corridor would run between Surat and Dankuni.
Both goods trains and passenger trains could use it.
Officials say this could help factories, farms and rural areas grow.
Mumbai also plans to increase its local train services.
The railway system has ordered new air-conditioned trains, with the first expected to enter production in 2027.
A new daily train between Mumbai and Sawantwadi Road has also started.
Extra trains will run during the Ganesh festival to help people travel.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a budget-announced east-west corridor is being designed to connect previously unserved areas of Maharashtra.
The proposed Surat-Dankuni corridor is planned to carry both freight and passenger services and support industrial and rural development.
Vaishnaw said eastern and western Dedicated Freight Corridors have been completed, improving goods movement from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
Mumbai’s railway system currently operates about 3,200 local services, with plans to increase services and introduce 238 new local trains by 2030.
A new daily CSMT-Sawantwadi Road Express was inaugurated, while 350 special trains were announced for the Ganesh festival.
- Who
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the plans; Maharashtra officials and other ministers attended the related railway event.
- What
- A proposed east-west rail corridor, Mumbai suburban rail expansion, a new Konkan express service and festival special trains were discussed or launched.
- Where
- The announcements were made in Mumbai through a video link from Delhi; the proposed corridor would run between Surat and Dankuni and connect areas of Maharashtra.
- When
- The announcements were made on September 3, 2026; the first new AC local train is expected to enter production in 2027, with 238 local trains planned by 2030.
- Why
- The projects are intended to improve passenger and freight connectivity, support industrial and rural development, and meet increased festival travel demand.
Key facts
- Proposed corridor
- An east-west rail corridor between Surat and Dankuni.
- Maharashtra coverage
- The corridor is being designed to connect previously unserved areas, including parts of western Maharashtra and Nashik.
- Mumbai local services
- About 3,200 suburban train services currently operate in Mumbai.
- New local trains
- The Railways ordered 28 AC local trains, with the first expected to enter production in 2027; 238 local trains are planned by 2030.
- Bullet train timeline
- The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is expected to open in 2027.
- Festival services
- 350 special trains are planned for the Ganesh festival, with up to 375 possible if required.
- New express service
- The daily CSMT-Sawantwadi Road Express was inaugurated to improve Mumbai-Konkan connectivity.
Quotes
Ashwini Vaishnaw
India’s Railway Minister
“The east-west corridor is being designed in such a way that it will be able to connect many such areas of Maharashtra which have never been connected before. Now, all those areas will have connectivity.”
freepressjournal.in
“By 2030, we will have our own 238 local trains.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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