Mumbai To Get 238 AC Local Trains By 2030

Mumbai's upcoming fleet of 238 AC EMU rakes will be split among three Railway production units in a 50:30:20 ratio.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai will manufacture the largest share, making 120 rakes. The Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala will produce 71 rakes, while the Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli will make 47 rakes.

The production-sharing plan has been finalised by the Ministry of Railways to ensure timely availability of rolling stock as infrastructure under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) is commissioned. The first trainsets are scheduled to be supplied from 2027, while the entire requirement of 238 AC EMU rakes is expected to be completed by 2030.

The three production units will manufacture the rakes using existing and proven RDSO/ICF specifications, following approval by the Railway Board. This is expected to speed up production and avoid delays associated with developing a new train design.

The distribution also means that the Railways will not depend on a single production unit for Mumbai's large AC EMU requirement. ICF will account for 50.4% of the total order, RCF for 29.8% and MCF for 19.7%. Together, the three factories will manufacture the complete sanctioned requirement.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the production programme has been prioritised to ensure that rolling stock is available in line with infrastructure commissioning. The production units already have experience in manufacturing modern passenger rolling stock, including AC EMUs, Vande Bharat trainsets and Vande Metro trainsets.

For Mumbai, the timing of the deliveries will be crucial. The Railways is simultaneously expanding suburban infrastructure under MUTP, and the availability of new trains will determine how quickly the additional infrastructure can be put to full use.

The 238-rake programme will also provide a substantial expansion of the AC suburban fleet and support increased capacity on Mumbai's suburban network. The expansion of the AC suburban fleet is expected to help bridge the gap between infrastructure completion and rolling stock availability.

In terms of significance, the expansion of Mumbai's AC local train fleet will have a major impact on the city's commuters. The new trains will provide a more comfortable and efficient travel experience, and will help to reduce congestion on the existing network.

Overall, the production of 238 AC EMU rakes for Mumbai is a significant development for the city's transport infrastructure. The new trains will help to support the growing demand for suburban rail services, and will play a key role in shaping the future of Mumbai's transport network.