Maharashtra approves ₹18,130 Crore Mumbai Metro Line 5 Expansion & New Line 5A

Mumbai, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major push to strengthen suburban connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Maharashtra Government has approved the expansion of Mumbai Metro Line 5 along with a new corridor, Metro Line 5A, forming a 34.2-km integrated metro network across the Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan–Ulhasnagar belt.

The integrated project has been cleared at an estimated cost of ₹18,130.55 crore, as per a recently issued Government Resolution (GR), marking a significant upgrade to one of the region’s most critical transit corridors.

Metro Line 5: From Original Plan to Revised Alignment

Mumbai Metro Line 5 was initially approved in October 2017 as a 24.9-km fully elevated corridor with 17 stations, connecting Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan at a cost of ₹8,416.51 crore.

The project is being executed in two phases:

Phase 1 (Thane–Bhiwandi)

• Length: 11.9 km
• Stations: 6
• Status: Near completion
• Progress has been relatively smooth due to minimal rehabilitation and resettlement challenges

Phase 2 (Bhiwandi–Kalyan / Now Modified)

• Length: 10.475 km
• Stations: 6
• Revised Cost: ₹7,326.13 crore
• Status: Delayed due to encroachments and alignment changes

This stretch has faced significant hurdles, including encroachments requiring demolition drives by the Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation, as well as multiple design revisions.

Shift to Underground Sections Drives Cost Escalation

A key turning point came in June 2023, when a section between Durgadi and Kalyan was converted from elevated to underground, increasing costs by ₹1,427 crore.

Further revisions in June 2025 introduced:

• Additional partially underground stretches between Dhamankar Naka and Temghar
• Alignment optimisation to address urban constraints

These changes significantly enhanced project complexity but are expected to improve long-term operational efficiency and urban integration.

Metro Line 5A: Ensuring Connectivity Beyond Durgadi

In a major strategic shift, the government has curtailed Line 5 up to Durgadi, instead of extending it directly to Kalyan.

To maintain seamless connectivity, a new Metro Line 5A has been approved:

• Length: 11.83 km
• Stations: 7
• Estimated Cost: ₹4,063 crore
• Route: Durgadi – Aadharwadi – Khadakpada – Kalyan, with future extension to Ulhasnagar

This approach allows better phased execution while addressing land and construction challenges in dense urban zones.

Integrated Network with Key Interchange

Once completed, Line 5 and Line 5A together will form a 34.2-km corridor with 19 stations, featuring a critical interchange at Durgadi.

Key Infrastructure Highlight

• Double-decker structure between Ranjnoli Junction and Durgadi Chowk, integrating:
  • Metro viaduct
  • Road flyover
• Aim: Reduce congestion in Bhiwandi, one of the region’s busiest logistics hubs

Transit-Oriented Development to Boost Viability

To enhance financial sustainability, the project incorporates:

• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) along the corridor
• Commercial utilisation of station spaces
• Improved last-mile connectivity and urban integration

These measures are expected to increase ridership and unlock real estate and economic value along the corridor.

Strategic Importance for MMR

The Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan–Ulhasnagar belt is one of the fastest-growing urban-industrial clusters in the MMR, with heavy dependence on road transport.

The integrated metro corridor will:

• Decongest arterial roads
• Improve connectivity to residential and industrial zones
• Reduce travel time across key suburban nodes
• Support sustainable urban expansion

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said:

“The integration of Metro Line 5 and 5A reflects a pragmatic and future-ready approach to urban transit planning. By combining elevated and underground sections with transit-oriented development, Maharashtra is not only addressing current mobility challenges but also building a scalable and financially sustainable metro ecosystem for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.”

The approval of Metro Line 5 expansion and Line 5A marks a crucial milestone in Mumbai’s metro expansion strategy. By adapting to on-ground challenges through alignment changes and phased execution, the state is ensuring that critical connectivity projects move forward without compromising long-term efficiency.

As construction progresses, this corridor is set to become a backbone transit link for the eastern MMR, unlocking new growth opportunities while reshaping daily commuting for lakhs of passengers.