Railway Board Chief Pushes For Timely Completion Of Infrastructure Projects

Chairman of the Railway Board and CEO, Satish Kumar, has directed all departments involved in railway infrastructure to ensure the timely completion of ongoing capacity augmentation projects, with a specific focus on increasing the number of suburban trains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

When asked about the first non-AC closed-door local trains, Kumar said, "A prototype of a non-AC closed-door local train is being made at ICF, and it is expected to arrive in Mumbai around December or January." After the Mumbra train tragedy, the task of developing a prototype of a non-AC closed-door coach was given to ICF by the Railway Board.

Asked about Metro and local train stations integration Kumar said, " A survey will be conducted to ensure better connectivity between metro and local train stations, so that issues like those faced at Ghatkopar and Andheri are not repeated at other stations".

Kumar conducted a comprehensive review meeting on Monday at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) with senior officials from Central Railway (CR), Western Railway (WR), Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL).

During the meeting, he reviewed the progress of several key infrastructure projects and emphasized their on-schedule completion. Later, Kumar visited Jogeshwari to inspect ongoing work before departing for New Delhi.

According to sources, Kumar asked senior officials of CR and WR how the number of suburban train services could be increased. He also reviewed the progress of major projects, including the 5th and 6th line corridor between Mumbai Central and Borivali, the quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu section, additional lines being laid between Kalyan-Kasara and Kalyan-Badlapur, and the progress of the 5th and 6th line project on CR between Kurla and Parel.

In addition to suburban services, Kumar stressed the need to increase the frequency of Mail and Express trains and to launch new long-distance services. He also directed that more 12-coach suburban trains be converted to 15-coach rakes to accommodate the growing passenger demand.

A senior WR official informed that the Jogeshwari terminus is expected to be completed within this financial year, paving the way for the operation of around a dozen pairs of long-distance Mail/Express trains from the new facility. Similarly, the Vasai terminus is expected to be ready in the next two to three years, allowing further expansion of long-distance services.

WR officials also informed the Chairman that with the completion of the 6th line up to Borivali, additional suburban services could be introduced. Likewise, the extension of the Harbour Line and the laying of additional tracks between Borivali and Virar would further boost suburban train capacity.

MRVC officials briefed Kumar on the progress of various capacity enhancement projects, including the upgrade of 17 suburban stations under the station improvement program. Sources said Kumar expressed satisfaction with the progress.

He also inspected the ongoing work related to the redevelopment of CSMT station being carried out by RLDA. Asked about the progress of the CSMT redevelopment project, Kumar said that he had directed the official concerned to speed up the work and complete it on time.

Kumar also reviewed ongoing projects on Central Railway, underlining the importance of their timely execution for better passenger movement and infrastructure efficiency.

During a combined meeting held with CR, WR and the various agencies doing Developmental works in Mumbai Metropolitan Region Satish Kumar reiterated to maintain absolute and unwavering focus upon safety and applauded the efforts made by Central Railway for redevelopment of Khadki and Hadapsar stations in record time.

"The main focus of the meeting was capacity enhancement and provision of the better facilities with addition of train services for the commuters through innovative solutions and expeditious completion of the ongoing works. Satish Kumar reviewed the progress of the Mega Coaching Complex works and preparations for the enhancement of passenger carrying capacity for both Mail Express and Local trains. A detailed presentation for the way ahead towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Bharatiya Railways contribution in the same was also reviewed.

The immediate solutions like the enhancement of 15 car local trains in MMR region was reviewed was found satisfactory. Satish Kumar insisted for the expeditious and optimum completion of the works keeping in mind the overall passenger safety and convenience" said an official of CR.