Maharashtra approves ₹17,725 crore Mumbai Metro Line 13 linking Mira-Bhayandar with Vasai-Virar

Mumbai, India (Rail & Metro Today): The Maharashtra government has approved transport infrastructure projects worth ₹28,227 crore for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune, including the ₹17,724.99-crore Metro 13 corridor connecting Mira-Bhayandar with Vasai-Virar.

The approvals were granted by the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The decisions are expected to give a major boost to regional connectivity and public transport infrastructure across the state.

Metro 13 to connect Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar

To be implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Metro 13 will establish a direct mass rapid transit connection between the rapidly developing Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar regions across Thane and Palghar districts.

The proposed corridor will be 25.03 km long, comprising 21.78 km of elevated alignment and 3.25 km underground. It will have 16 stations, including 13 elevated and three underground stations.

The corridor will connect important urban centres including Mira Road, Vasai, Naigaon, Nalasopara and Virar, improving cross-regional connectivity and providing an alternative to road and suburban rail travel.

Integrated Metro and road bridge across Vasai Creek

One of the major engineering components of Metro 13 will be a 4.92-km integrated six-lane road and Metro bridge across Vasai Creek, connecting Panju Island.

The project will also include a Metro depot at Chikhal Dongri, supporting the operation and maintenance of the corridor.

Metro 13 is planned to integrate with Mumbai's existing and upcoming transport infrastructure. Interchange facilities will be provided at suburban railway stations at Naigaon, Nalasopara and Virar, while a connection with Metro Line 9 is proposed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium.

Bus connectivity is also planned at all stations to strengthen first- and last-mile connectivity.

Metro 13 expected to carry 4.49 lakh passengers daily

According to the Maharashtra government, the corridor is expected to record a daily ridership of approximately 4.49 lakh passengers by 2031.

The project is also expected to reduce travel time by around 50% compared with road-based travel, providing faster connectivity between the growing urban centres of the MMR.

The corridor will require approximately 24.84 hectares of land and has been targeted for completion within five years.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete land acquisition and approach roads within six months to ensure timely progress of the project.

Pune ring road extension also approved

Alongside Metro 13, the state government approved a ₹10,502.36-crore eastern extension of the Pune ring road.

The project is aimed at diverting inter-state and inter-city traffic away from Pune's urban areas, helping reduce congestion and improving regional road connectivity.

Together, the two major projects represent an investment of more than ₹28,227 crore in strategic transport infrastructure for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune.

The approval of Metro 13 is particularly significant as it will create a new cross-regional public transport corridor between Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar, while integrating Metro, suburban rail and bus services into a broader multimodal mobility network.