Indian Railways to conduct trial runs of 18-coach suburban trains on the Virar–Dahanu corridor in Mumbai on January 14-15, assessing safety and performance parameters.
Indian Railways to Conduct Trial Runs of 18-Coach Suburban Train
Indian Railways will conduct trial runs of an 18-coach suburban train for the first time. The Western Railway (WR) will test the longer rake on the Virar–Dahanu corridor on January 14 and 15.
Trial Details
The trials will assess safety and performance parameters. These include Emergency Braking Distance (EBD) and coupler forces for 18-car train formations with three-phase propulsion systems. According to the central railway ministry, Bombardier-manufactured rakes will be tested at speeds up to 110 kmph. Medha Electrics-produced coaches will undergo tests at a maximum speed of 105 kmph on the same stretch. Coaches will be upgraded to meet speed, stability, and oscillation trial requirements before testing begins.
Clarification on Local Services
Railway officials stated that this exercise is purely experimental. It does not mean that 18-coach local services will start in Mumbai soon. A senior WR official said, “These are mandated technical trials. The final configuration of the coaches is still being worked out and there is no decision yet on operating 18-car locals.”
Future Plans for Suburban Train Formations
In September last year, HT reported that the plan to explore longer suburban train formations was proposed to the state government. This is part of future phases of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). The railway authorities plan to procure 2,856 coaches at an estimated cost of ₹21,000 crore. These coaches are mainly for 238 air-conditioned (AC) local trains with 12 coaches each. There are provisions to expand to 15 or 18 coaches once infrastructure upgrades are complete.
Procurement and Timeline
The procurement of 238 AC local trains was proposed under MUTP-3 (47 AC locals) and MUTP-3A (191 AC locals). These projects are partially financed by multilateral development banks. Officials mentioned that the tendering process could take six to eight months. The first AC local train could be inducted six to seven years after contracts are finalized.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Trial Runs | January 14-15 | Testing 18-coach suburban train on Virar–Dahanu corridor |
| Speed Tests | N/A | Bombardier: 110 kmph, Medha Electrics: 105 kmph |
| Proposed Coaches | N/A | 2,856 coaches for 238 AC local trains |
| Estimated Cost | N/A | ₹21,000 crore |
| Tendering Process | 6-8 months | Timeframe for procurement |
| Induction Timeline | 6-7 years | From contract finalization |
