Mumbai’s upcoming air-conditioned (AC) suburban local trains, termed as Vande Metro (suburban), are being designed with a slew of never-before features — including stand-back areas with glass draught screens near doors, fire sensors, dedicated vendor compartments, wheelchair bays with clamps, and CCTV-linked emergency alarms that can beam live visuals to the motorman’s cab.

On Saturday night, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC) floated an e-tender on the Indian government’s e-procure website for the global procurement and long-term maintenance of 2856 fully AC Vande Metro (suburban) coaches. These rakes will be in 12, 15, and 18-car formations as per requirements and feasibility of operation, significantly enhancing passenger capacity, comfort, and safety on the city’s lifeline.

Every passenger doorway will be flanked by a longitudinal stand-back area to let commuters step aside when the train halts. These areas will be separated by clear toughened-glass draught screens, which cut gusts of wind at high speed but also double up as safe handholds for passengers.