Suburban rail services remain the lifeline of urban commuting in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), carrying the highest number of passengers and passenger-kilometres. Even as metro networks expand, suburban rail will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s mobility future.

A multidisciplinary team from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) has launched a year-long study commissioned by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC). The project aims to examine critical aspects of the suburban rail system’s economic and financial sustainability and develop a robust framework to ensure its long-term viability as a key urban transport mode in the MMR. This framework will guide proposals for infrastructure investments, operational logistics, and service enhancements.