With the BJP and Mahayuti getting a majority and a political push, the plan to convert Mumbai’s local trains into a completely AC fleet may gather momentum. The plan had been stuck and delayed since August 2022 due to political opposition from the NCP (SP). Party president Sharad Pawar had called for the complete withdrawal of AC local trains from the city and the restoration of regular services for working-class commuters. Subsequently, the Central Railway discontinued 10 of its new services, citing law and order issues. The plan to convert all local trains to AC locals was then put on the backburner.

Sources said that most of the pending infrastructure and transport projects will now get a major push and will be taken up in fast-track mode. “The political mandate has given more power and validity to the planned projects, and they would now be taken ahead at full steam,” a BJP leader said.