Western Railway and the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) have successfully completed the platform extension work at Virar station to accommodate 15-coach local trains. The project was finished in a record duration of four months, marking a major step in the suburban rail upgrade. A successful trial run of an EMU train was conducted on April 5, 2026, to ensure the new infrastructure is ready for daily operations.
🗞️: Anand Vihar–Laukaha Bazar Special Train extension announced until July 2026, check timings।
What are the major upgrades at Virar station?
The engineering teams focused on widening and extending existing platforms to handle the extra load of longer trains. Platforms 3A and 4A were widened from 6.5 meters to 10.5 meters. Additionally, a brand-new home platform, Platform 5A, has been built on the western side. These upgrades are part of the ongoing Virar-Dahanu quadrupling project, which has reached its 50 percent completion milestone and aims for a 2028 finish.
How will 15-coach services benefit passengers?
The transition from 12-coach to 15-coach trains will significantly increase carrying capacity on the Western line. Western Railway recently announced the conversion of 16 twelve-coach services into 15-coach services on the Virar-Churchgate route. Currently, 17 such services are operational between Andheri and Virar, with plans to add more by the end of April. Officials stated that these developments will reduce platform crowding and enhance passenger safety.