Maharashtra Railway Projects: Major Developments and Investments Announced
Significant Railway Initiatives in Maharashtra
New Delhi, Dec 20: The government has approved 38 railway initiatives in Maharashtra, which include 11 new lines, 2 gauge conversions, and 25 doubling projects. These projects span a total length of 5,098 kilometers and are estimated to cost around Rs 89,780 crore, with completion expected by April 1, 2025.
Over the past three fiscal years—2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25, along with the current financial year 2025-26—98 surveys have been sanctioned in Maharashtra. This includes 29 new lines, 2 gauge conversions, and 67 doubling projects, covering a total distance of 8,603 kilometers.
The Railways Ministry has reported that construction for the ambitious High-Speed Bullet Train project is progressing well, with land acquisition now fully completed. Work on essential infrastructure such as bridges and aqueducts is currently underway.
Additionally, platform extension projects at 34 stations are being implemented to accommodate 15-car Electric Multiple Units (EMUs).
To enhance the rail network's capacity in the Mumbai suburban region, three significant projects have been sanctioned: the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)-II at a cost of Rs 8,087 crore, MUTP-III at Rs 10,947 crore, and MUTP-IIIA at Rs 33,690 crore.
To further increase passenger capacity, 238 rakes, each consisting of 12 cars with doors, have been approved under MUTP-III and IIIA, with a total expenditure of Rs 19,293 crore. The procurement process for these rakes is already in progress.
Moreover, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) runs through Maharashtra, covering approximately 178 route kilometers, which is about 12 percent of the total length. The ministry noted that 76 kilometers of this project, from New Gholvad to New Vaitarna, has already been commissioned, with remaining works currently in progress. This connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is expected to significantly enhance cargo and container traffic capacity from the port to the Delhi NCR region.
Currently, the Mumbai area manages around 120 Mail/Express trains and approximately 3,200 suburban trains on a daily basis.