Mumbai: The plan to expand 15-coach suburban train services on Central Railway (CR) is progressing slowly, with platform extension work completed at only five of the 34 stations identified on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)–Kalyan/Kasara/Khopoli corridor.The delay has also cast uncertainty over the introduction of a revised suburban timetable, which was expected after the infrastructure upgrades. The project involves extending more than 50 platforms across these stations to accommodate longer trains aimed at easing peak-hour crowding on the busy central suburban network. The expansion was initiated following directions from the Railway Board to increase the number of 15-car services on both fast and slow corridors. At present, the longer trains can run only on the fast corridor, where platforms at 10 stations — CSMT, Byculla, Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Mulund, Thane, Dombivli and Kalyan — are long enough to accommodate 15-coach rakes. Platform extension work has been divided among multiple agencies. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is handling four stations, the Central Railway headquarters construction department six stations and the Mumbai division the remaining 24 stations. So far, work has been completed at Vithalwadi, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Karjat and Tanshet stations. However, work remains pending at several stations beyond Kalyan. On the Kalyan–Kasara route, platform extension is yet to be completed at Shahad, Ambivli, Titwala, Khadavli, Vasind, Asangaon, Atgaon, Khardi, Umbermali and Kasara stations. Similarly, on the Kalyan–Khopoli route, work has been delayed at Vangani, Shelu, Bhivpuri, Palasdari, Kelavali, Dolavli, Lowjee and Khopoli stations. At present, only platform 7 at CSMT can berth a 15-car train and it is also used to stable a rake during non-operational hours. “Once platforms 5 and 6 are extended, we will be able to stable another 15-car rake. At present, we have no dedicated stabling lines on the network except for half a line at Kalyan, which limits our ability to run more 15-car services,” said a railway official. A 15-car rake can carry around 25% more passengers than a 12-car train — about 4,380 passengers compared to 3,504. Officials say increasing the number of such services could significantly ease overcrowding during peak hours. Central Railway had drawn up a 2017 blueprint to expand the 15-car system beyond Kalyan in two phases. Phase I covers the Karjat line, serving fast-growing suburbs such as Ambernath and Badlapur, while Phase II targets the Kasara line, including Titwala and Asangaon. At present, only Dombivli and Kalyan can handle 15-car trains beyond Thane. Currently, Western Railway runs 211 fifteen-coach services — 97 fast and 114 slow — while Central Railway operates only 22, all on the fast corridor, leaving most commuters to endure heavily crowded trains.
