Mumbai’s suburban rail network is set for a significant upgrade just in time for Republic Day 2026: Central Railway (CR) will launch 14 new air-conditioned (AC) local train services on the Harbour Line starting January 26. This move restores AC comfort to a corridor that has lacked it for nearly four years, providing daily commuters with a cooler travel option during peak heat and heavy crowding. What’s Changing on the Harbour Line The newly introduced AC local trains will operate on the vital Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)–Panvel route, one of Mumbai’s busiest suburban corridors serving lakhs of passengers daily. The services will replace existing non-AC locals over the same route, keeping the overall number of Harbour Line trains constant but enhancing commuter experience. Central Railway plans to run seven AC trains in each direction (Up and Down) from Monday to Saturday. Services on Sundays and nominated holidays are expected to revert to non-AC rakes, similar to current practice on other AC local routes. Scheduled Services and Timings The schedule for the Harbour Line AC locals includes early-morning departures and peak-hour services catering to daily commuters: Early start: A train departs Vashi at 04:15 am heading toward Wadala Road. Morning… Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
