Everything you need to know about the Mumbai Metro

With an intention to provide alternate connectivity to Mumbaikars, the plan to construct the Mumbai Metro took shape in 2006, when the foundation stone for phase-I of the metro project was laid. However, operational and policy delays resulted in delays to the project and as of June 2021, only one metro route has been commissioned. These massive delays have also resulted in massive escalation in overall expenses to Rs 82,172 crores.

Mumbai Metro network and corridors

The Mumbai Metro network is being implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as it is being expanded beyond the Mumbai region. At present, only one metro line is operational while eight are under-construction and five routes have been approved. The first line began operation in June 2014, while two other lines are expected to become operational by July 2021. There are 14 corridors on Mumbai Metro network, plus two extension lines:

• Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar
• Dahisar-Charkop-Andheri
• Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ
• Wadala-Mulund-Kasarvadavalli
• Kasarvadavali-Gaimukh
• Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan
• Lokhandwala-Jogeshwari-Kanjurmarg
• Dahisar East-Bandra East
• Andheri-Mumbai Airport
• Mumbai Airport- Navi Mumbai Airport
• Dahisar East- Mira Bhayander
• Gaimukh-Shivaji Chowk
• Wadala-CSMT
• Kalyan-Dombivli-Taloja
• Mira Bhayander-Virar
• Kanjurmarg-Badlapur

Mumbai Metro Lines

(Source: MMRDA)

Mumbai Metro Line 1

Also known as the Blue Line, this is an operational line connecting Versova with Ghatkopar via Andheri. The metro connects key areas in the western suburbs with the central suburbs, making it one of the popular transit mediums in Mumbai. This 11-km-long route is fully elevated.

Mumbai Metro Line 2

Also known as the Yellow Line, this is a 42-km-long route on the network and has two sub-sections – 2A and 2B. The 2A section will be an 18-km corridor between Dahisar-Charkop-DN Nagar with 17 stations. The 2B section will link DN Nagar-BKC-Mankhurd and will be 23.5 kms long. The estimated cost for this project is around Rs 17,000 crores. The line is expected to start in 2021 as the trials are expected to happen soon.

Mumbai Metro Line 3

Also known as the Aqua Line, Mumbai Metro Line 3 is completely underground and covers the distance between Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai and SEEPZ and Aarey in north Mumbai. This route will also pass through the Mumbai Airport which will further boost the connectivity in the region. The total cost of construction of this route is Rs 23,136 crores. This route will have an interchange with Line 1 (Marol Naka) and Line 2(BKC) and Line 6 (SEEPZ). The route is expected to start in 2021.

Mumbai Metro Line 4

Also known as the Green Line, Mumbai Metro Line 4 will connect Kasarvadavali in Thane to Wadala in south-central Mumbai. This route will boost connectivity between Mumbai and Thane and decongest the local train network. The expected cost of this project is Rs 15,000 crores. The expected date of completion is 2022.

Mumbai Metro Line 5

To be built at Rs 8,416 crores, this 24-km-long Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro-5 corridor, also known as the Orange Line, will be completely elevated and have 17 stations. The Metro-5 corridor will eventually connect with the Metro-4 line of Wadala-Thane-Kasarwadavli and Metro-11 corridor between Taloja and Kalyan.

Mumbai Metro Line 6

Also known as the Pink Line, this route will connect the western suburbs with the eastern ones and will be the second west-east metro corridor, after the already operational Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar section. The 14.5-km-long route will have 13 stations.

Mumbai Metro Line 7

Known as the Red Line, Mumbai Metro Line-7 is a 33.5-km-long route that will connect Dahisar with Andheri and further to the Mumbai International Airport. The route will have 29 stations, of which 14 will be elevated and the remaining will be underground. Operations on the route were expected to start in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the civil work on the line.

Mumbai Metro Line 8

Known as the Gold Line, this is a proposed metro route between the Mumbai Airport and the Navi Mumbai Airport. The approved length is 32 kms and the project will be built at an expense of Rs 15,000 crores. Around eight metro stations have been proposed on this route.

Also read: DMRC metro rail network: All you need to know

Mumbai Metro Line 9

The Mumbai Metro Line-9 is an extension of the Line 7 and Metro-2A (Dahisar to DN Road). This corridor will cost Rs 3,600 crores and will connect Gaimukh-Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road or Metro-10). The route was expected to start in 2019 but procedural delays have pushed the timeline to October 2024.

Mumbai Metro Line 10, 11

Mumbai Metro Line 10 and 11 are extensions of Mumbai Metro Line 4, also known as the Green Line. These lines will connect Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road) and Wadala to CSMT. The foundation stone was laid by PM Narendra Modi in 2017. The work has started on these lines and is expected to become operational in 2022.

Mumbai Metro Line 12

This metro route is planned as an extension of Mumbai Metro Line 5. It will connect Kalyan with Taloja and will boost connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Mumbai Metro Line 13

This is a proposed metro project which will connect Mira Road with Virar. This 23-km-long route is estimated to cost around 6,900 crores. At present, the detailed project report is being created for this route. The expected date of completion is in 2026. This will be also known as the Purple Line.

Mumbai Metro Line 14

Known as the Magenta Line, this is an approved metro project that will connect Vikhroli with Kanjurmarg and further to Ambernath-Badlapur. It will have an interchange with Line 6, the Pink Line. This project is also at the DPR state and will cost around Rs 13,500 crores. It is to be completed by October 2026.

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