Rs 162.4 Bn boost for Mumbai railway network

19 Nov 2024 CW Team

The central government has allotted Rs 162.40 billion to improve Mumbai's railway network. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the funds will be used for station upgrades, land acquisition, installation of additional lines, elevated corridors, interchange links, and other enhancements. To further improve Mumbai's infrastructure, the government plans to build 301 new railway tracks. The government also intends to build additional terminals at Parel and Jogeshwari while expanding the capacity of existing terminals at Bandra, Vasai Road, Mumbai Central Terminal, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). On the Central Line, the capacity at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) will be increased to separate local and long-distance trains. Parel, Panvel, and Kalyan will become major junctions, the minister announced during an event. “The construction of the metro, coastal roads, and railways will significantly improve the lives of Mumbaikars,” said the minister. “By the end of 2025 to 2027, 300 km of projects will be completed. Currently, 3,200 local trains operate on the Western and Central railway lines. Once all these projects are finished, at least 300 more trains will be operational.” The minister highlighted the introduction of Kavach 5.0 technology, which features CBTC (communication-based train control). “The new Kavach version will reduce the minimum train running gap from 180 seconds to 150 seconds, and eventually to 120 seconds, increasing network efficiency by 15%,” he said. Additionally, plans are underway to upgrade train technology, focusing on better ventilation, improved oxygen levels, and other passenger-friendly features. New train models will be introduced after project completion. Nearly 97% of Mumbai’s railway network has been electrified, with full electrification expected by the end of the year.

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..