Mumbai–Surat Suburban Train Corridor in The Works; Namo Bharat, AC-Equipped MEMU Trains on The Cards

Mumbai: Western Railway officials say they are developing dedicated suburban platforms at Surat railway station. Once ready, these platforms could support services connecting Surat with Valsad, Dahanu, and Virar and potentially extending further to Mumbai and towards Ahmedabad, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The plan includes running Namo Bharat trains alongside upgraded MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) rakes. Both have air-conditioned and non-AC coaches, and onboard toilets something Mumbai’s existing suburban EMU trains do not have.

That absence has long been the sticking point. “The main limitation has always been the absence of toilets in EMUs. With Namo Bharat and upgraded MEMU trains, longer suburban connectivity becomes feasible,” a WR official said.

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WR currently runs MEMU services between Virar and Surat, but with over 30 halts, the journey exceeds five hours and operates only twice daily. Officials say better infrastructure and newer rolling stock could expand and speed up services.

The corridor, if operational, would give daily commuters office workers and traders especially a cheaper alternative to road travel between the two cities. It could also ease congestion on highways connecting Mumbai and Surat.

Surat Station Gets a Rs 1,500 Crore Makeover

Surat railway station is currently undergoing a Rs 1,500 crore redevelopment, with a December 2027 completion target. The redesigned station will connect to an underground metro, a bullet train station, and the city’s airport, functioning as a multimodal transit hub.