India, March 26 -- Soon, you may be able to travel all the way up to Surat from Mumbai on a local train. Sort of.

The latest Namo Bharat rapid transit trains and upgraded Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains are likely to be operated on the Mumbai-Surat route for suburban commute, according to officials aware of the developments.

Western Railway (WR) officials said plans are afoot to construct new platforms to accommodate suburban trains at the Surat railway station. Once these suburban platforms are ready, there will be scope to operate suburban trains from Surat to Valsad, Dahanu, and Virar, as well as towards Ahmedabad.

Regional rapid transit trains such as Namo Bharat, which have a mix of AC and non-AC coaches and toilet f...