In a significant move to modernise Maharashtra’s rail infrastructure and enhance the commuter experience, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled a roadmap focused on upgrading the Mumbai suburban network and bolstering connectivity across the state.

Under the theme “Better Infrastructure, Better Technology, Better Trains,” Vaishnaw announced infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 17,000 crore, spanning over 300 kilometres of new rail lines. These developments are expected to decongest the suburban network, increase train frequency, and improve daily commuting for millions of Mumbaikars.

Key among the technological upgrades is Kavach 5.0, an advanced, indigenous safety and signalling system tailored for suburban routes. It is designed to reduce headways and allow more trains to run safely on existing tracks. The minister also announced the rollout of 238 new air-conditioned suburban rakes, offering enhanced comfort and reliability for Mumbai’s heavy daily ridership.

Chief Minister Fadnavis announced the upcoming launch of the Mumbai One Card, a unified smart card enabling seamless travel across suburban trains, metro, monorail, and BEST buses.

Beyond suburban improvements, the spotlight was on the Rs 4,819 crore doubling of the Gondia–Ballarshah rail line, a strategic 240-kilometre corridor that will strengthen connectivity between Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The project includes upgrades to 29 stations and the construction of 36 major bridges, 338 minor bridges, and 67 road under-bridges.

The announcements follow the recent Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs’ approval of four major railway projects in the state, worth a combined Rs 18,658 crore. Vaishnaw termed these projects “transformative,” especially for aspirational districts that will benefit from enhanced logistics and connectivity.

Simultaneously, 132 stations in Maharashtra are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with several nearing completion. This forms part of the Centre’s record-breaking investment of Rs 1.73 lakh crore in the state’s rail infrastructure.

Ongoing marquee projects such as the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train, Dedicated Freight Corridors, and large-scale station upgrades reflect the government’s long-term vision for Maharashtra’s central role in India’s railway future.

Fadnavis also announced the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Glorious Maratha Tour, a 10-day IRCTC-curated journey aboard the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, highlighting the state’s cultural legacy.

In a cultural milestone, he confirmed preparations for WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May, along with the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai.