Mumbai Vande Bharat Metro: Passengers commuting on Mumbai locals can rejoice as a solution to the overcrowding issues is on the horizon. The Indian Railways has set its sights on introducing the Vande Bharat Metro in Mumbai.
According to officials from the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the approval from the Railway Board is imminent, paving the way for the replacement of local trains with the Vande Bharat Metro. The Railways plans to deploy a total of 238 Vande Bharat Metro trains in Mumbai, bringing much-needed relief to commuters.
Will be prepared under Make in India
The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has announced that it will purchase new trains for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III (MUTP-III) and 3A (MUTP-3A). These trains will be built to support the industry and trade within the country. They will be manufactured in India, following the guidelines of the Central Government’s Make in India initiative. The MUTP-III and MUTP 3A projects have a total cost of Rs 10,947 crore and Rs 33,690 crore respectively. MRVC will be responsible for procuring and maintaining these trains for a period of 35 years.
The announcement was made during the 2023-24 budget
The Vande Bharat Metro, a smaller version of India’s first indigenous semi-high-speed train ‘Vande Bharat,’ was announced in the 2023-24 budget. This state-of-the-art train will cover a distance of approximately 100 km and will consist of eight coaches, similar to a metro train.
The regular Vande Bharat Express has 16 coaches. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Metro will greatly benefit the commuters in Mumbai, where the local trains are known for their overcrowding. Many people rely on these trains for their daily commute, and the new train will provide significant relief, particularly for those who travel to offices and workplaces.