Major Relief Ahead for Karjat–Kasara Passengers: 15-Coach Locals Likely Soon

Passengers travelling on the Karjat–Kasara route may finally get some long-awaited relief. The Central Railway has begun the expansion of 27 railway stations to enable the operation of 15-coach local trains between Karjat and Kasara. The target for completing this upgrade has been set for December 2025.

At present, 15-coach locals run only between CSMT–Dombivli and CSMT–Kalyan, while many trains still operate with just 12 coaches, leading to severe overcrowding during peak hours. With passenger numbers rising daily, pressure on the local network has increased significantly, prompting repeated demands to introduce longer 15-coach services on the Karjat–Kasara stretch.

Currently, around 22 services of 15-coach locals run between CSMT and Kalyan. However, the shorter platform lengths on the Kalyan–Kasara and Kalyan–Khopoli sections have made it impossible to extend the longer trains further.

A senior Central Railway official confirmed that work is underway at 34 stations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with 27 of them expected to be fully upgraded by the end of this year. Most of these stations lie on the Kalyan–Karjat–Khopoli and Kalyan–Kasara routes.

Once the platform extensions are completed, some of the existing 12-coach local trains will be converted to 15-coach services, followed by a phased increase in the total number of longer trains.

Two feared dead as passenger train collides with goods train in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district

A tragic collision occurred near Jairamnagar station in Bilaspur district on Tuesday, when the front coach of the Korba Passenger Express rammed into a goods train. At least two people are feared dead, and several others have been injured in the incident.

Preliminary reports suggest that the accident took place when the local passenger train collided with the stationary goods train. Videos from the scene show the first coach of the Korba Passenger Express mounted on top of the goods train due to the impact. Locals and officials were seen gathered at the site as rescue operations were underway.

Authorities have confirmed reports of casualties, with two deaths reported so far. Rescue and relief teams have reached the spot, and efforts are ongoing to assist the injured and evaluate the extent of the damage. Further details are awaited as officials continue their investigation and site inspection.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Faces Further Delay as Railway Board Identifies Major Issue — Here’s Why

The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, which was earlier expected to debut in October, has hit another roadblock. The Railway Board has raised concerns regarding furnishing quality and safety standards, leading to a delay in its official rollout.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had hinted at an October launch, but with the second rake still under the final stages of manufacturing at BEML, that timeline now seems uncertain. Work on the interiors of the second rake is still underway, while the first one might undergo additional furnishing improvements based on the Board’s latest feedback.

According to reports, the Board has given in-principle approval for operating the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake but has asked for several deficiencies to be fixed before commercial services can begin. A detailed note sent to the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and all railway zones mentioned issues such as:

Sharp edges and corners in the berthing area Poorly designed curtain handles near windows “Pigeon pockets” between berth connectors that may create cleaning and maintenance difficulties

Why the Delay?

The delay stems mainly from two factors:

Incomplete interiors of the second rake at BEML. Rectification and renovation work likely to be undertaken on the first rake after the Railway Board’s review.

Commercial operations are expected to begin only once both rakes are fully ready and approved for service.

During recent trial runs, the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) echoed similar concerns. Following this, RDSO submitted a compliance report to the Board on September 1, 2025, as per a PTI update.

Focus on Safety and Operations

The Ministry of Railways has also issued fresh directives to ensure that the Vande Bharat Sleeper meets top-notch safety and operational standards. These include:

Implementation of fire safety systems Integration of Kavach 4.0, India’s indigenous train collision avoidance system Installation of reliable onboard communication systems connecting loco pilots, train managers, and station masters Maintenance of all brake systems in perfect condition

To further strengthen safety preparedness, loco pilots are now being trained to uncouple the semi-permanent coupler within 15 minutes during emergencies, with all necessary tools included in their kits. Railway zones have also been instructed to ensure the presence of trained technical staff along the route to tackle any operational issues that may arise mid-journey.

Once both rakes clear all tests and upgrades, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to mark a new milestone in Indian Railways—bringing high-speed comfort and overnight travel convenience together for the first time.