Nearly 250 Km Long Metro Rail System For Mumbai As Government Approves Two Additional Lines

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved the plan for the construction of two metro rail projects – Dahisar-Mira Bhayander and Andheri-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSIM) airport. The estimated cost of constructing these two lines is pegged at Rs 6,607 crore.

With this addition, the total approved span of the Mumbai metro rail system has gone up to nearly 250 kilometres. When complete, this span will be serviced by over 200 stations across the city.

Metro line 9 will ply between Dahisar-Mira Bhayander route, while 7A will connect Andheri-CSIM airport route. Both the routes are together 13.5 km long. Dahisar-Mira Bhayander route will be a 10.41 km long elevated corridor with 11 stations. The extension of metro 7 Andheri-CSMI airport (7 A) line will be 3.17 km long. Of this, 2.11 km span will be underground along with stations.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has been entrusted with the responsibility of raising funds for the projects.

The Hindustan Times quoted a senior MMRDA official as saying that the agency is in discussion with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for funding. The body is likely to fund the construction internally and seek financial assistance for rolling stock, tracks and other electrical components.

The two new lines were announced despite a recent decision by Maharashtra not to accept any financial liability for metro projects. It had also stated that funding for new projects needs to done through off-budget borrowings. However, the state Cabinet has approved these projects on the grounds that the construction of the metro lines was in public interest.