Mumbai: The Centre provides an annual subsidy of Rs 3,000 crore for Mumbai’s suburban railway system, helping keep fares affordable for millions of daily commuters, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Parliament on Tuesday.Replying to questions, he said the subsidy translates into a significant fare concession and underlines govt’s continued financial support to the city’s lifeline, which carries over 70 lakh passengers. To improve commuter safety, 238 new suburban trains with automatic door-closing systems are being manufactured for Mumbai. The move gains significance amid rising concerns over passengers falling from overcrowded trains. Vaishnaw also highlighted ongoing capacity augmentation works in Mumbai, including the addition of platforms, stabling lines, pit lines and coaching terminals to ease congestion and improve operational efficiency. In a major boost to regional connectivity, the Centre is planning a Mumbai-Pune bullet train corridor, which is expected to cut travel time to 48 minutes. The project is part of a broader plan to develop seven high-speed rail corridors across the country. Preparations are underway for the Nashik Kumbh, with a detailed master plan covering key stations, such as Nashik Road and Deolali, along with construction of new road overbridges and underpasses to handle the surge in passenger traffic.
