Western Railway adds 13 AC suburban trains, total tops 100

28 Nov 2024 CW Team

Western Railway (WR) will introduce 13 new air-conditioned (AC) train services on its suburban network starting November 27, replacing an equal number of non-AC services. This move increases the total number of AC services to 109 on weekdays and 65 on weekends, while maintaining the overall suburban service count at 1,406.

The introduction comes amid a growing demand for AC local trains, aiming to provide greater comfort and reduce crowding on the busy network. ""These additional services will benefit passengers and enhance commuting convenience,"" said Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), WR.

Of the new services, six will run in the up direction and seven in the down direction. Up services include two each between Virar-Churchgate and Bhayandar-Churchgate, and one each between Virar-Bandra and Bhayandar-Andheri. Down services feature two between Churchgate-Virar and one each on routes such as Churchgate-Bhayandar, Andheri-Virar, and Bandra-Bhayandar.

WR’s suburban network, spanning 128 km from Churchgate in south Mumbai to Dahanu in Palghar district, caters to around 3.5 million daily commuters. The first new AC train will depart from Churchgate at 12:34 pm on November 27, marking the start of this upgraded service.

(ET)

Building Material

15 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Easier Green Clearances for New Airports

The central government is preparing to streamline environmental clearance procedures for airport projects to accelerate infrastructure development across the country. According to officials, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to establish a single-window mechanism for faster approval of greenfield and brownfield airports. The proposal seeks to reduce the time required for obtaining environmental clearance by simplifying inter-ministerial coordination and standardising assessment parameters. The move is part of ..

Beer Makers Urge Import Relaxation Amid Aluminium Can Shortage

India’s domestic beer manufacturers have urged the government to relax import rules and cut duties on aluminium cans as the industry faces a severe shortage of packaging material. The shortage, driven by rising demand and limited local supply, has disrupted production schedules for several breweries. Industry representatives have written to the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, seeking temporary relief through faster import approvals and reduced customs duties. They warn that the situation could impact the availability of beer across key markets during the festive season. A..

India Surpasses Japan as World’s Third-Largest Auto Market

India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest automobile market, marking a major milestone for the country’s manufacturing and mobility sector. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, credited the achievement to India’s growing production capacity, rising domestic demand, and sustained policy support for localisation and innovation. The country’s vehicle sales and manufacturing output have surged in recent years, positioning it just behind China and the United States. According to industry estimates, India’s automobile sector supports over 3..