Mumbai will have over 300 km metro rail network in next three to five years

Mumbai, India (Metro rail Today): Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will have a total of 14 Metro lines spread across 300-kilometres within the next three to four years. Out of these, two elevated Metro lines – 7 [Andheri (E)-Dahisar (E)] & 2A ( Dahisar-D N Nagar) – are in the final stage of completion and expected to be fully open to the public by December 2022 or by early next year, according to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Earlier, in April this year on Gudi Padwa, 20-km stretch of Metro Line 7 and 2A was opened to public use between Aarey and Dhanukarwadi and is currently drawing a daily ridership of over 25,000 on an average, as per the MMRDA.

“A catch up plan has been made for all ongoing Metro lines so that the work is completed as per the revised timeline and no more delays take place. Meanwhile, we recently got approval from the Maharashtra government following which a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with REC Limited, a central government undertaking, for funding worth Rs 30,483 crore for the ongoing nine Metro lines in MMR. Now, the authority will face no more funding issues which would lead to smooth execution of upcoming Metro projects,” said a senior official.

The underground Metro line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) is expected to be ready for commercial operation of Phase 1 between BKC and SEEPZ by December 2023. The trial run on a 3-km stretch between Marol and Aarey began in August 2022.

The other elevated lines are under various stages of progress. Line 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan) and Line 6 (Swami Samarthnagar-Vikhroli) are ready by over 65 per cent and 62 per cent respectively. While Line 4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali) has seen 41 per cent of civil work being complete, for extension 4A (Kasarvadavali-Gaimukh), it is 45 per cent complete.

On Metro Line 2B (D N Nagar-Mandale), 27 per cent of civil works has been completed. Metro Line 9 [Dahisar(E)-Mira-Bhayander] and 7A [Andheri(E)-CSMIA] has seen completion of 25 per cent of civil work.

General Consultant has been appointed for Metro Line 10 [Gaimukh-Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road)] and Line 12 (Kalyan-Taloja). Partial funding from Mumbai Port Trust is awaited for line 12 (Wadala-CSMT).

Meanwhile, the MMRDA has also issued tender for Metro 4 and 4A at Mogharpada at an estimated project cost of Rs 711.34 crore and for Metro 5 Kasheli depot project, the project cost is estimated at Rs 472 crore.