Union Railway Minister Vaishnaw Flags Off New Train Linking CSMT With Sawantwadi Road

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the inaugural service of a new train connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) with Sawantwadi Road, strengthening direct rail connectivity between Mumbai and the Konkan region. The service is expected to benefit passengers travelling across Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, while also providing additional capacity during the busy festival and tourism seasons.

Vaishnaw, accompanied by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, highlighted the long-standing demand for improved rail connectivity between Mumbai and Konkan. The new service is expected to provide a dependable travel option for students, employees, families, traders and others who regularly travel between the two regions. Goyal noted that the service would be particularly useful ahead of Ganesh Utsav, when large numbers of people travel to their native places in Konkan.

The new train is also expected to support economic activity in the region by improving the movement of passengers and goods. Faster and more reliable connectivity could help fishermen, local producers and traders transport their products to Mumbai, while improved access to education and healthcare in the city could benefit people living in Konkan. The service is also expected to support tourism and create opportunities for businesses linked to travel and hospitality in destinations including Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kankavli, Kudal and Sawantwadi.

Also Read: Mohan Yadav Highlights Religious Tourism Growth During Dwarka Temple Visit

Shinde described the service as a major boost for people from Konkan, migrant workers and devotees travelling during Ganesh Utsav. He also highlighted the completion of electrification along the 741-km Konkan Railway route, which has enabled more environment-friendly train operations and improved speeds. The new service will operate with an LHB rake, offering passengers modern passenger coaches and an additional rail option between Mumbai and the Konkan region.

Vaishnaw also outlined several railway projects underway in Mumbai, including works worth around Rs 18,000 crore to expand capacity and improve passenger services. The Railways is extending platforms designed for 12-coach trains to accommodate 15-coach services and upgrading signalling systems across the suburban network. As part of the expansion, 238 new air-conditioned local train rakes have been sanctioned, with delivery of the first rake scheduled to begin in 2027.

The Railway Minister also highlighted wider infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors and the proposed East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Dankuni with Surat. He noted that the new corridor is being designed to improve connectivity across parts of Maharashtra, including Vidarbha, Marathwada and Western Maharashtra. Work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project is also progressing, while an undersea rail tunnel connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex and Thane is under construction using two tunnel boring machines.

Also Read: India, Belgium Sign Defence Agreements Covering Mine Warfare, Ammunition And Rockets