Daily CSMT-Sawantwadi Express Flagged Off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off a new daily express train connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) with Sawantwadi Road, establishing a direct rail link between Mumbai and the Konkan region.

Vaishnaw attended the flagging-off event through video conferencing, noting that the new service addresses a long-standing demand from passengers traveling between the state capital and Konkan.

The 510-km rail service features multiple stoppages across the Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts, providing travelers with a dedicated overnight connection from Mumbai to destinations along the Konkan belt.

Addressing seasonal passenger volume, Vaishnaw said the Railways is operating 350 special trains this year to manage the festival rush. He added that the authorities could increase the number of special services to 370 if demand requires.

Vaishnaw also outlined ongoing infrastructure work across Mumbai's suburban rail network, stating that projects worth approximately Rs 18,000 crore are underway to augment overall capacity and improve passenger services. As part of this push, the Railways is systematically extending platforms designed for 12-coach trains to accommodate 15-coach rakes, with work already completed at several locations.

Additionally, the minister highlighted the modernisation of Mumbai's signalling system, noting that the upgrades will increase suburban network capacity and improve operational efficiency. Vaishnaw also stated that the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are now 100% complete and referenced the proposed East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor announced in the Union Budget.