Latest news with #Metro-like
India Today
21-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Mumbai local trains to be fully AC soon, says Devendra Fadnavis
In a significant development for Mumbai's suburban railway commuters, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that all local trains in the city will soon have air-conditioned coaches with automatic doors. The decision was made after the tragic accident in Mumbra on June 9, where five passengers died after falling from two overcrowded trains. Fadnavis said the Central government has agreed to this long-pending demand, and the Union railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has informed him that an official announcement will be made shortly by Indian chief minister made this statement in the state assembly, stating that the new coaches will not be retrofitted but will be replaced entirely with modern, air-conditioned coaches similar to those used on the Metro trains. He also assured that there will be no increase in train fares despite the upgrade. 'We have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to introduce Metro-like coaches with automatic doors for local trains without increasing fares. "Today, the minister confirmed to me that a positive decision has been taken,' said move comes in response to rising concerns over passenger safety in Mumbai's overcrowded locals. The Mumbra accident reignited public anger and highlighted the urgent need for safer trains. With over 7,500 deaths and 7,200 injuries reported in the last three years on local trains, the issue has become a matter of public safety. Earlier this week, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik had also proposed forming a task force to explore staggered office timings in private firms to reduce rushes during peak stressed that the new coaches will ensure safer travel and put an end to the growing divide between Metro and local train commuters. The real problem is overcrowding and the absence of doors. People are forced to travel in dangerous conditions. Mumbai now has two kinds of train travellers – those in safe and comfortable Metro trains, and those risking their lives on local trains. "This needs to change,' he Central government's decision is seen as a major step towards modernising the city's ageing railway infrastructure and improving the daily commute for lakhs of Mumbaikars. With no fare hike and the promise of safer travel, the decision has been widely welcomed.- Ends advertisement
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mumbai to soon get ‘Metro-like' AC local trains with closed doors, chief minister Devendra Fadanvis tells legislative assembly
Mumbai: Soon all suburban local trains in Mumbai will have 'Metro-like' AC coaches with closed doors, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative assembly on Friday. Though the AC coaches will be new and not refitted, there will be no increase in train fare, he said, adding that Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will soon make a formal announcement on the AC coaches for Mumbai local trains. Fadnavis further said that the underground Colaba-BKC-Aarey Metro 3 is expected to be fully operational by Oct, and the Navi Mumbai international airport will be completed by Sept-end. "The development of Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) is underway. Work on Vadhavan Port is also going on at a fast rate. Vadhavan Port, which will be among the top 10 ports in the world, will give new maritime strength to Mumbai and Maharashtra," Fadnavis said, while replying to the debate in the assembly. "We are also creating an Education City in Navi Mumbai, where the total education expenses will be 25% of that of abroad studies. We expect 10 foreign universities to come here; five renowned universities have already signed agreements." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Referring to the June 9 Mumbra train tragedy that claimed five lives, the CM said: "Today, we have created two classes in train commute for Mumbaikars: the fully AC Metro where doors close and brings ease of travel, and the overcrowded suburban trains which see accidents due to the open doors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Therefore, we requested PM Modi and railway minister Vaishnaw that the local trains should have Metro-like coaches — fully AC and doors that close. We also demanded that these coaches be installed without increasing train fare even by a single rupee." He added that Vaishnaw, who was in Mumbai, said that they will take a positive decision in this regard. "Vaishnaw will come to Mumbai soon and make an official announcement," the CM said. Fadnavis also dismissed the allegation made by Congress MLA Nana Patole about a 'honeytrap' racket targeting state officials posted in Thane, Nashik and Mantralaya (secretariat) in Mumbai, saying there was no evidence and Patole had failed to make any expose. "There is no honey or trap," he added. Fadnavis further informed the assembly that crime rate in the state has decreased by 6.75%, and in Nagpur by 11% compared to the previous years. "Detection of cybercrime cases has increased to 16%. Also, 91% atrocities on women cases and 98% rape cases have been detected in the state. Shockingly, in 99.5% of rape cases, the accused was an acquaintance or relative of the victim," he said. "More than 2,000 accused have been arrested in drug cases, and provisions have been made to impose MCOCA on drug peddlers. Thirteen policemen have been dismissed. The new laws provide for completing investigations within 90 days and giving importance to forensic evidence."
