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Maharashtra's Rail Revolution: 38 Projects Worth Rs 89,780 Crore Unveiled

The government has given the green light to a massive railway overhaul in Maharashtra. This includes nearly 40 different projects focused on expanding and modernizing the network. A huge increase in funding means tracks can now be built much faster than before. The plan also covers everything from new suburban train lines in Mumbai to progress on the high-speed bullet train corridor.

Key Points: 38 Railway Projects Sanctioned for Maharashtra Worth Rs 89,780 Crore

  • 38 projects include 11 new lines and 25 track-doubling works across 5,098 km
  • Funding jumps over 20-fold to Rs 23,778 crore for 2025-26 period
  • Mumbai suburban network gets new lines and 238 advanced train rakes
  • Bullet train project achieves 100% land acquisition in Maharashtra state
2 min read

Government sanctions 38 railway projects worth Rs 89,780 crore in Maharashtra

The government sanctions 38 major railway projects in Maharashtra, including new lines, track doubling, and suburban upgrades, with a massive Rs 89,780 crore investment.

"more than 20 times - Ministry of Railways on increased budget allocation"

New Delhi, December 20

The government has sanctioned 38 projects for new lines, gauge conversion, and doubling of tracks covering 5, 098 kilometres at a total cost of Rs 89, 780 crore in Maharashtra.

According to the Ministry of Railways, these projects focus on expanding the rail network and increasing the number of trains the state can handle. The total plan includes 11 new railway lines, two gauge conversions, and 25 doubling or multi-tracking projects to improve travel across the region.

According to the Ministry, the funds allocated to these projects have grown significantly over the years. Between 2009 and 2014, the average spending was Rs 1,171 crore per year. For the 2025-26 period, the budget allocation reaches Rs 23,778 crore, which is "more than 20 times" the previous amount. This increase in funding allows the railway department to complete tracks at a much faster rate. The average speed of finishing new tracks rises from 58.4 kilometres per year to 208.36 kilometres per year.

The Mumbai suburban area receives specific upgrades to manage the 3,200 suburban trains and 120 express trains that run every day. The Ministry of Railways sanctions the Mumbai Urban Transport Project phases II, III, and IIIA to improve capacity and safety.

These phases include adding a 5th and 6th line between CSMT and Kurla and extending the Harbour Line from Goregaon to Borivali. To help carry more people, the government sanctions 238 new train rakes with 12 cars each. These new trains feature automatic doors and cost Rs 19,293 crore.

The high-speed bullet train project also makes progress as the Ministry of Railways confirms that "100% land acquisition" in Maharashtra is now complete. Work on bridges and other structures for this fast train is currently underway.

Additionally, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor passes through the state to help move cargo from the JNPT port to the Delhi region. So far, 76 kilometres of this freight line from New Gholvad to New Vaitarna are finished and in use, while the rest of the work continues.

The release stated that choosing new projects depends on factors like traffic needs, requests from the state government, and available funds. The time it takes to finish these projects depends on getting land, clearing forest areas, and moving power lines.

Between 2022 and 2026, the department also started 98 new surveys for more railway lines and doubling work. These surveys cover a distance of 8,603 kilometres to plan for the future travel needs of the people in Maharashtra.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some good news for Mumbai local commuters! The 5th and 6th lines between CSMT and Kurla are desperately needed. The new rakes with automatic doors sound promising for safety. But my humble request: please also focus on cleanliness and maintenance of the existing trains. 🚆
R
Rohit P
While the scale is impressive, I have a respectful criticism. The article mentions land acquisition and forest clearances as hurdles. We've seen many projects get stuck for years due to these issues. I hope the government has a concrete plan to address these challenges transparently and without displacing people unfairly.
S
Sarah B
The 20x increase in budget allocation is staggering. From ~1,171 cr/year to ~23,778 cr/year shows serious intent. The freight corridor is a game-changer for logistics from JNPT. This is how you build infrastructure for the next 25 years. Good step!
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Nikhil C
Great to see the bullet train project moving ahead with 100% land acquisition done in MH! Along with suburban upgrades, this shows a balanced approach - improving daily commute for the common man while also building world-class high-speed infrastructure. Future looks on track! 😄
M
Meera T
As someone from a tier-2 city in Maharashtra, I hope these new lines and gauge conversions reach beyond Mumbai-Pune. Better rail connectivity to Vidarbha and Marathwada regions can reduce regional disparities. The 98 new surveys give hope that planning is happening for the entire state.

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