MAHARASHTRA (Metro Rail News): The proposed Surat-Dankuni East-West Rail Corridor could bring railway connectivity to parts of Maharashtra that have remained outside the network so far. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new corridor will support both passenger and freight movement while strengthening industrial and rural connectivity.
Speaking through video conferencing from New Delhi during the flagging-off ceremony of the CSMT-Sawantwadi Road Express, Vaishnaw said Indian Railways is planning the new east-west corridor to improve connectivity across previously underserved regions. The proposed corridor was announced in the Union Budget and is expected to connect parts of Maharashtra, including western Maharashtra and the Nashik region.
Corridor planned for freight and passenger movement
Vaishnaw said the Surat-Dankuni corridor will carry both freight and passenger traffic. According to the minister, the alignment is being planned to bring rail connectivity to regions that currently have limited or no direct access to the railway network. He said the idea gained momentum after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis suggested integrating the eastern and western freight corridors with emerging industrial development zones during a recent event in Pune. The new corridor could also support economic activity in rural areas by improving access to larger markets and industrial centres.
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Vaishnaw said the completion of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors will further improve freight movement to and from Maharashtra. Faster cargo movement from Jawaharlal Nehru Port towards northern, eastern and central India could strengthen logistics operations and support industrial growth across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and neighbouring areas. The proposed east-west corridor would add another strategic rail link to this wider freight network.
Key focus areas of the proposed corridor
- Improving rail access to currently underserved regions
- Supporting both passenger and freight operations
- Connecting industrial and rural growth centres
- Strengthening links with existing freight corridors
- Improving logistics connectivity from Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Mumbai suburban network set for capacity upgrades
Vaishnaw also shared updates on Mumbai’s suburban railway network. Around 3,200 local train services currently operate across Mumbai. The Railways is working on increasing network capacity, upgrading signalling infrastructure and introducing new-generation suburban trains. The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has received directions to manufacture 28 air-conditioned suburban trains, with production of the first train expected to begin in 2027. The minister said Indian Railways aims to have 238 new-generation local trains by 2030. These trains will feature automatic doors and other modern passenger facilities. Railway projects worth around ₹18,000 crore are currently underway in Mumbai, according to the minister.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train work progresses
Vaishnaw also highlighted progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project. Two tunnel boring machines are currently working simultaneously on the undersea tunnel section between Bandra-Kurla Complex and Thane. The first section of the Bullet Train project is expected to begin operations in 2027.
Additional trains planned for Ganesh festival
Indian Railways plans to operate around 350 special trains during the upcoming Ganesh festival to manage additional passenger demand, particularly on routes connecting Mumbai with the Konkan region.