Mumbai gets $430 mn to improve its train system

The World Bank has approved $430 million (over Rs 1,900 crore) to finance further improvement of Mumbai's suburban railway system, considered the city's lifeline.

The Mumbai Urban Transport Project 2A project aims to add more vehicle capacity during peak hours, reduce peak hour overcrowding, shorten journey duration, improve operational efficiency and strengthen institutional capacity, the bank said.

According to a World Bank release, as many as 720 train cars would be added in the system. The project would also expand maintenance facilities, provide additional stabling lines, and complete the conversion from 1500 V DC to 25 KV AC traction of the remaining sections of Central Railway in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

MUTP 2A was sanctioned in the Railway Budget 2008-09. The project cost of Rs 5,300 crore is being borne equally by Indian Railways and the Maharashtra government.

A Maharashtra government official said under MUTP, well-desiged local trains have already started services and over 5,000 passengers can travel in each local train after the project is completed.