The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has rolled out Indian Railways’ first-ever 15-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rake, marking a significant milestone in the country’s suburban rail operations. The rake was flagged off on February 18, 2026, and is set to be deployed in the Mumbai suburban network, one of the busiest commuter corridors in the world.
With a carrying capacity of around 7,555 passengers, the new 15-car EMU is designed to substantially ease congestion on Mumbai’s Western Railway corridor, where peak-hour overcrowding has long been a challenge. Railway officials said the introduction of longer rakes will enhance suburban capacity without requiring additional train paths, thereby improving operational efficiency and commuter convenience. A total of 12 such rakes are planned for manufacture in the coming months.
Speaking at the rollout ceremony, General Manager Shri U. Subba Rao commended Team ICF for consistently delivering diverse variants of rolling stock in line with the evolving needs of the nation. Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer Shri N. S. R. Prasad also addressed the gathering, highlighting the factory’s technical capabilities and commitment to innovation.
Established in 1955 in Chennai, ICF is one of the largest rail coach manufacturers in the world and a key production unit under Indian Railways. Over the decades, it has evolved from producing conventional coaches to developing advanced self-propelled trainsets and high-speed rolling stock. In recent years, ICF has been at the forefront of India’s rail modernisation drive. It designed and manufactured the country’s first semi-high-speed trainsets under the Vande Bharat programme and has steadily expanded its portfolio to include upgraded Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, MEMU and EMU rakes, and specialised rolling stock for suburban and long-distance operations.
ICF has also consistently broken production records, emerging as the highest coach-producing unit in the country in multiple financial years. Its focus on energy-efficient designs, enhanced passenger amenities, and safety features aligns with Indian Railways’ broader goals of capacity augmentation and service quality improvement.
The rollout of the 15-car EMU underscores ICF’s continued role in strengthening India’s suburban transport backbone, particularly in megacities like Mumbai, where reliable and high-capacity rail services remain critical to daily life and economic activity