Archive · 3 Sep 2026
New East-West Rail Corridor Targets Unserved Maharashtra Areas
India is planning a new railway corridor from Surat to Dankuni.
Officials say it will connect parts of Maharashtra that do not have enough railway links today.
Both passenger and goods trains could use it.
They hope this will help factories, farms and rural communities.
Mumbai also wants to run more local trains and has ordered 28 air-conditioned trains.
Officials say 238 local trains could be available by 2030.
A new daily train between Mumbai and the Konkan region has started.
Extra trains will run during the Ganesh festival so more people can travel.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a budget-announced east-west corridor is being designed between Surat and Dankuni.
The corridor is intended to carry dedicated freight and passenger services and connect unserved areas in Vidarbha, Marathwada, Western Maharashtra and Nashik.
Vaishnaw said the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are complete and will improve goods movement from Jawaharlal Nehru Port to northern, eastern and central India.
Mumbai’s railway network operates about 3,200 local services, with 28 AC trains ordered and 238 local trains planned by 2030.
A daily CSMT-Sawantwadi Road Express was launched, while 350 Ganesh festival special trains were announced, with up to 375 possible if needed.
- Who
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the railway plans; Piyush Goyal, Eknath Shinde and other Maharashtra officials attended the launch event.
- What
- A proposed east-west rail corridor, Mumbai suburban rail expansion, a new Mumbai-Konkan express service and festival special trains were announced or discussed.
- When
- The announcements and train inauguration took place on September 3, 2026; the first new AC local train is expected to enter production in 2027, and 238 local trains are planned by 2030.
- Where
- The event was held in Mumbai through a video link from Delhi. The proposed corridor would run between Surat and Dankuni and connect several Maharashtra regions.
- Why
- The projects are intended to improve passenger and freight connectivity, support industrial and rural development, and meet increased travel demand during the Ganesh festival.
Railway Expansion Supporters
Residents Seeking Rehabilitation
Development and railway-land rehabilitation
Railway Expansion Supporters
Vaishnaw and Goyal said expanded rail connectivity would support industry, rural development, employment, local producers and travel between Mumbai and Konkan.
Residents Seeking Rehabilitation
Eknath Shinde urged the Railways and Maharashtra government to resolve the rehabilitation of thousands of people living on railway land, seeking homes for affected residents while allowing railway development to proceed.
- Proposed corridor
- An east-west corridor between Surat and Dankuni with dedicated freight and passenger services.
- Maharashtra areas
- The planned route is intended to connect parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, Nashik and other unserved areas.
- Freight corridors
- Vaishnaw said the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are 100 percent complete and will soon be dedicated to the nation.
- Mumbai local services
- About 3,200 suburban train services currently operate in Mumbai; officials said a 10 percent increase would improve passenger movement.
- New suburban trains
- The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has been ordered to manufacture 28 AC suburban trains, with the first expected to enter production in 2027.
- Festival trains
- 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 provides overnight connectivity between Mumbai and the Konkan region.
