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Mumbai suburban rail network: Central Railway executes mega block at Thane for 15-coach EMU train expansion

Mumbai suburban railway: The Mumbai Division of Central Railway carried out a mega block on Sunday between Mulund railway station and Thane railway station to facilitate the expansion of 15-coach EMU train operations at Thane.

2 min readUpdated: Feb 22, 2026 04:48 PM IST

15-Coach EMU trains to improve Mumbai local carrying capacity (Image generated using AI)

Mumbai suburban railway: The Mumbai Division of Central Railway carried out a mega block on Sunday between Mulund railway station and Thane railway station to facilitate the expansion of 15-coach EMU train operations at Thane. Once inducted into service, the 15-car local train will be able to accommodate nearly 7,555 passengers on the Mumbai suburban rail network.

The Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has planned to manufacture 15-car EMU trains for Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), along with two EMU rakes equipped with automatic doors in the financial year 2025-26. These new trains are expected to ease congestion on some of the busiest suburban corridors in the country.

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Mumbai suburban rail network upgrade

During the block period, the Central Railway carried out following major works:

Removal and laying of switches and culvert using crane machine
Siding work and tamping• Crossover laying and track shifting
Dismantling of existing crossover and laying of 80 metres of new track
Re-tensioning of contact wires and OHE maintenance
Shifting of point machines, signals and track circuits.

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Mumbai suburban rail network

In a statement, Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway said: “This is part of 34 yard remodeling being carried out to increase the number of 15 car locals over CR. The works are being done at multiple stations simultaneously, Thane being one of the major stations undergoing infrastructure upgrade.”

He also stated that once the works are completed, they will help improve existing train operations and enable an increase in the number of 15-coach services on the section. “The upgraded yard infrastructure will also enable stabling and smooth maintenance of 15-coach trains,” he said.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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