MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the Ministry of Railways is prioritising the production of 238 air-conditioned Electric Multiple Unit (AC EMU) rakes. This move aims to match the rollout of new infrastructure under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).
The rakes will be built at three key production units of Indian Railways: 120 AC EMU rakes through Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai; 71 rakes through Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala; and 47 rakes through Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli, taking the total to 238 rakes.
These units already have a strong track record of manufacturing modern passenger trains, including AC EMUs, Vande Bharat trainsets, and Vande Metro trainsets.
The Railway Board has cleared the procurement using existing and proven RDSO/ICF specifications. This will help speed up manufacturing and delivery. Supply of the new rakes is set to begin in 2027, with the full order of 238 rakes expected to be completed by 2030.
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The first trainsets arriving in 2027 will help close the gap between new infrastructure becoming ready and the availability of rolling stock. This will allow better and more efficient use of the upgraded Mumbai suburban network.
The decision supports timely induction of modern, air-conditioned trains for Mumbai’s busy urban rail services.