BEML In The Race For Mumbai Local Train Upgrade

BEML Ltd. is in the race to bag the Mumbai Suburban Rail Network upgrade project, which, amongst other things, will see automatic doors come to the fore.

The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation is set to re-invite tender for the mega revamp of Mumbai's lifeline - the Mumbai Local, according to senior industry executive aware of the matter.

The Mumbai Local as the Mumbaikar call, is one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the world carrying over 7.5 million commuters daily.

MRVC is a 51:49 joint venture between Ministry of Railways and Govt. of Maharashtra established to execute projects under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).

This is the second time the bids will be invited, previously bids were invited a year back and the process was withdrawn.

It is estimated that the tender will be for 2856 air-conditioned Vande Metro coaches for Mumbai's suburban rail network. The order is expected to comprise of 238 trains, with each train having 12 coaches.

While the tender details are not out it is estimated that the project will involve procurement, maintenance, and supply of Vande Metro rakes, including setting up new depots and upgrading existing facilities.

The estimated value of this is seen at over Rs 30,000-40,000 crore to be executed over seven years.

The tender is expected to release by August this year and by the time final bids and tender will be placed it will be end of March 2026, the person cited above said. The tender award to the lowest bidder is expected by September 2026. The shortlisted company will be required to provide a prototype within two years, and the coaches are expected to roll out staring second half of calendar 2028.

The Mumbai Urban Project Phase 3 and Phase 3A, if it proceeds on time, will see Mumbai's suburban railway network fully upgraded by 2035.

BEML, Titagarh, Alstom, CAF, and Stadler are seen as key contenders for this mega order.