MUMBAI: Central Railway marked 2025 as a milestone year, combining heritage, performance and forward-looking transformation across its network. The year also commemorated 100 years of electrification, recalling the first electric train run from Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) to Coorla (now Kurla) on the Harbour Line in 1925, a defining moment that began a century of modern rail progress in the region, said CR Chief Spokesperson Swapnil Nila.Passenger services and operational performance remained strong throughout the year. “Central Railway carried over 1,500 million passengers and recorded total revenue exceeding Rs 16,110 crore from passenger, coaching and other earnings. Freight operations also maintained momentum with 73.37 million tonnes of loading, supporting industry and supply chains across Maharashtra and beyond,” he said.During 2025, Central Railway commissioned 21 escalators and 23 lifts at various stations, improving ease of movement for senior citizens, women, children and passengers with reduced mobility. Suburban connectivity was strengthened with 10 additional services between Nerul/Belapur and Uran. 2 new suburban stations, Targhar and Gavan, were commissioned on the same route, improving access for growing residential and industrial areas and enhancing connectivity towards the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.To reduce queues and simplify ticketing, Mobile UTS Sahayaks were introduced at CSMT, enabling on-the-spot ticket issuance through handheld devices with both cash and digital payment options. Enforcement drives also reinforced fare compliance, detecting 37.55 lakh cases of unauthorised or ticketless travel and realising Rs 216.6 crore in penalties.In safety and technology, Central Railway became the first zonal railway to complete KAVACH loco trials across all 5 divisions within 6 months, supported by extensive staff training and planned network-wide deployment. Additional innovations included a senior-citizen-friendly EMU compartment, Optical Ground Wire communication, and in-house solutions for monsoon resilience and real-time water-level monitoring in passenger coaches.Sustainability also progressed through Open Access power procurement, enabling greener and more cost-effective electricity sourcing aligned with Indian Railways’ net-zero 2030 mission. Cultural and community engagement featured celebrations of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” at CSMT, all-women crew operations on International Women’s Day, a World Heritage Day exhibition, and Station Mahotsavs at 15 stations. Passenger welfare remained central, with RPF rescuing 1,499 children under Operation Nanhe Farishte and saving 69 lives under Operation Jeevan Rakshak.
