WR plans 121 additional services of 15-coach trains at ₹490 crore

AT PRESENT, WR OPERATES 54 SERVICES WITH FOUR 15-COACH TRAINS BETWEEN CHURCHGATE AND VIRAR

MUMBAI: In a move to accommodate the growing number of commuters on suburban rail network between Andheri and Virar railway stations, the Western Railway (WR) plans to introduce 121 additional 15-coach trains in phases. The entire project is expected to cost ₹490 crore.

At present, WR operates 54 services with four 15-coach trains between Churchgate and Virar. Meanwhile, Central Railway (CR) operates 16 local train services with one 15-coach train between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kalyan.

In phase one, 22 local train services of 15-coach trains will be introduced between Andheri and Virar railway stations. The train services are likely to be introduced within the next six months.

“The introduction of 15-coach local trains in phases will give us time to work on the infrastructure required for the operation of the services,” said a WR official.

In phase two, the railways will extend platforms number two and three of Virar railway station, which would make way for the introduction of 20 more 15-coach local train services. The platform extension work will be undertaken at a cost of ₹18 crore.

In the third phase, WR will provide 27 platform extensions at 14 suburban railway stations along with construction of the fifth and sixth lines. This will increase the operation of 15-coach trains by 121 services. In December 2018, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal had directed both the CR and WR to plan to introduce additional 15-coach trains on the suburban railway network.