The Government of Maharashtra has appointed Vilas Sopan Wadekar, Chairman and Managing Director of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd. (MRVC), to head a task force on expansion of rail networks in the state.
The task force has been set up to prepare a comprehensive plan for the expansion of railway networks, metro corridors and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and other urban areas of the state.
The decision follows a high-level meeting held on October 7, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department (UD-1) emphasising the need for different rail-based transport systems for various regions of the state.
The initiative aligns with the vision of ‘Viksit Maharashtra 2047’ and aims to promote integrated, efficient and well-planned rail-based public transport infrastructure.
Composition of Task Force
The committee will include representatives from the Maharashtra Urban Development Department, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (Maha-Metro), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Sanjay Kumar, Chief Manager (Planning), MRVC, will serve as the Member Secretary.
Invitees to the committee include representatives from the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd. (CIDCO), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Nashik Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd.
Scope and Objectives
The Task Force will examine the appropriate transport systems for different regions, including railway network expansion, metro corridors and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). It will also assess the feasibility of connecting two major cities through semi-high-speed rail services.
The study will focus on identifying suitable transport solutions for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and other major urban centres in Maharashtra, taking into account their operational suitability, technical feasibility and financial viability.
In addition, the Task Force will recommend policy decisions and coordination measures required for planning and implementation of an integrated transit network in line with the objectives of ‘Developed Maharashtra 2047.
The Task Force’s recommendations to the state government are expected to provide a structured basis for planning future rail-based transport infrastructure and identify the appropriate transit system for each urban region.