Flooding-related snarls on Mumbai’s railway lines may be a thing of the past with the innovation of “submarine points” where track points—configurations that allow trains to switch between parallel tracks—are not disturbed by waterlogging. The innovation is being patented by Indian Railways. The reduction in point machine failures during flooding significantly improves operational efficiency and will not lead to the detention of local trains, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday.

Speaking about AC local trains, Vaishnaw said the 238 AC local trains for the city may initially come as an addition to existing rakes that will be slowly phased out. He said these rakes have been uniquely designed keeping in mind the needs of Mumbai’s commuters, promising a more comfortable and reliable travel experience.