News Brief
Arjun Brij
May 18, 2025, 02:51 PM | Updated 02:51 PM IST
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Over two months after the Union Budget announcement, Indian Railways has allocated Rs 1,777 crore for the improvement of Mumbai’s suburban railway network in the 2025–26 fiscal, marking a 125 per cent rise from the previous year’s outlay of Rs 789 crore.
The funds, announced on Saturday (17 May), will support ongoing and proposed projects under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), including MUTP-II, MUTP-III, and MUTP-IIIA, Hindustan Times reported.
The allocation includes Rs 100 crore for MUTP-II, Rs 800 crore for MUTP-III, and Rs 877 crore for MUTP-IIIA.
In line with MUTP’s cost-sharing model, the Maharashtra government is expected to match the funding, bolstering efforts to ease congestion, improve commuter convenience, and expand the capacity of Mumbai’s suburban railway.
“With this robust financial backing, key MUTP projects, including new corridors, station upgrades, and improved rail infrastructure, are progressing well, bringing Mumbai’s commuters closer to a faster, safer, and more efficient suburban railway network,” Vilas Wadekar, chairman and managing Director, Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) was quoted as saying by HT.
The Central Railway has already begun upgrading stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), which aims to modernise stations and improve passenger amenities.
Renovation works are underway at stations such as Parel, Chinchpokli, Matunga, and Wadala, with 16 suburban stations identified across the state for major enhancements.
The ABSS will deliver upgraded station buildings, modular sewage plants, resurfaced platforms, improved lighting and ventilation, drinking water facilities, modern signage, and passenger seating.
Arjun Brij is an Editorial Associate at Swarajya. He tweets at @arjun_brij