Central Railway proudly celebrated 100 years of Electrification in 2025, commemorating the historic first journey of an electric train from Victoria Terminus (present-day Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – CSMT) to Coorla (present-day Kurla) on the Harbour Line in 1925. This milestone symbolises a century-long journey of progress, innovation and service to the nation.

The year 2025 proved to be a landmark year for Central Railway, marked by remarkable achievements across passenger services, safety enhancement, infrastructure development, digitisation, green energy adoption, station redevelopment, and innovative technological solutions, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing passenger experience and operational excellence.

Passenger Services and Performance

Central Railway recorded exceptional performance in passenger and freight operations during 2025. Over 1,500 million passengers were carried across the network, generating a total revenue of more than ₹16,110 crore, including passenger, coaching and other earnings. Freight performance also remained robust, with 73.37 million tonnes of loading registered during the year.

Passenger Amenities and Comfort

Passenger convenience remained a top priority. During 2025, 21 escalators and 23 lifts were commissioned at various stations. To enhance suburban connectivity, 10 additional suburban services were introduced between Nerul/Belapur and Uran.
Central Railway also introduced Mobile UTS Sahayaks at CSMT, enabling on-the-spot ticketing through handheld devices and portable printers. This initiative provided both cash and digital payment options, significantly reducing queues and improving ease of travel.

Ticket checking drives resulted in the detection of 37.55 lakh cases of unauthorised or ticketless travel, with penalties amounting to ₹216.62 crore, reinforcing fare compliance and passenger discipline.

Suburban Stations and New Services

Two new suburban stations, Targhar and Gavan, were commissioned on the Nerul/Belapur–Uran route and 10 additional suburban services have been added on the route improving accessibility for growing residential and industrial areas. It has also enhanced connectivity to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport

Several new train services were introduced, including:

• Pune–Ajni Vande Bharat Express

• Nanded–CSMT Vande Bharat Express

• LTT–Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express

• Jodhpur–Pune Express

• Hadapsar–Rewa Express

• Ahilyanagar–Beed DEMU

Special Train Operations

To meet seasonal and festive travel demand, Central Railway operated over 3,097 special trains during the year, including services for Kumbh Mela, Diwali, Chhath Puja, summer vacations, Ganpati festival, Holi, Ashadi Wari and Mahaparinirvan Day.

For Maha Kumbh 2025, Central Railway ensured smooth and comfortable travel for lakhs of devotees by running 823 train services from Mumbai, including six special trains. Additionally, 52 new stoppages were provided to various trains to enhance passenger convenience.

Infrastructure Development

Major infrastructure milestones were achieved in 2025. Central Railway commissioned the challenging 9.45 km Shindawane–Ambale Ghat section, completing the Pune–Miraj doubling project of 281 km and enhancing corridor capacity.

The Amalner–Beed railway line was also commissioned, providing historic rail connectivity to previously unserved regions, and also a seamless connectivity between Ahilyanagar and Beed.

The Daund–Solapur–Wadi section was upgraded, increasing maximum permissible speed from 110 kmph to 130 kmph over a stretch of 341.80 km, benefiting 44 pairs of trains. The revamped Karjat Yard and a new Route Relay Interlocking system further strengthened operational safety and reliability.
Preparatory works of the tune of 1500 Crores for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 at Nashik are also initiated.

Safety, Technology and Innovation

Central Railway achieved a major milestone in rail safety by completing KAVACH loco trials across all five divisions, becoming the first zonal railway to do so within six months. The system is planned for deployment across entire network of Central Railway, supported by extensive staff training.

Innovations included the introduction of a senior-citizen-friendly EMU compartment, Optical Ground Wire communication system, and award-winning in-house solutions for monsoon resilience and real-time monitoring of water levels in the passenger coaches.

Green Initiatives

Central Railway emerged as a frontrunner in sustainability by adopting Open Access power procurement, enabling cost-effective, reliable and greener electricity sourcing. This initiative supports Indian Railways’ mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Historic and Cultural Highlights

The year witnessed several historic moments, including the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram”, celebrated with mass singing at CSMT; International Women’s Day 2025, marked by all-women crew operations of Vande Bharat and Goods trains; and World Heritage Day, featuring a heritage exhibition at CSMT.
Station Mahotsavs were organised at 15 stations, fostering community engagement and celebrating railway heritage.

Passenger Protection and Welfare

Under Operation Nanhe Farishte, RPF rescued 1,499 children, while Operation Jeevan Rakshak saved 69 lives on railway premises, underscoring Central Railway’s strong commitment to passenger welfare.

Looking Ahead

Key projects expected to be completed in 2026 include the Panvel–Karjat Suburban Corridor, Daund–Manmad doubling, and the introduction of 15-coach trains on Central Railway.

Central Railway remains steadfast in its mission to enhance passenger safety, improve infrastructure, adopt digital solutions, promote green energy, and deliver world-class railway services. The achievements of 2025 stand as a testament to its unwavering dedication to nation-building and public service.

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