Indian Railways: Daily commuters in the country are about to experience considerable relief. Indian Railways is making several adjustments to local trains for their convenience. Preparations are in progress between Mumbai and Surat. The Western Railway has been planning to launch a suburban train service on this route for quite some time.
As per sources from the Railway Ministry, efforts are being made to construct two new platforms at Surat station, which will facilitate more trains operating between Mumbai and Surat in the future. At present, the Virar-Surat MEMU train and long-distance trains are running on this route, but there is a growing demand for local-like services among the public.
The Railway Ministry has stated that upgraded MEMU trains will take the place of the older EMU local trains. These new trains will be more appropriate for long distances and will include necessary amenities such as toilets. Furthermore, the Railways is set to launch the Namo Bharat train, which will feature both AC and non-AC coaches.
Western Railway is already running the Namo Bharat train on the Ahmedabad-Bhuj route. This same model could potentially be applied to the Mumbai-Surat route. Another alternative is the Vande Metro train, which resembles the Vande Bharat Express but is designed for shorter distances.
With a maximum speed of 130 km/h, the 12-coach Vande Metro train can accommodate around 1,150 passengers and can stand for over 2,000. The redevelopment of Surat station is underway with an investment of Rs 1,477 crore. So far, about 45% of the work has been completed. The entire project is anticipated to be finished by 2027. Only after the new platforms are built will local-type train services be launched between Mumbai and Surat. This initiative will bring relief to thousands of daily passengers traveling between these two cities, enhancing their travel experience.
