Mumbai Metro-12: MMRDA Cancels Tender Proposal For Kalyan-Dombivali-Taloja Metro Line; To Issue New Bid With Changed Alignment

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has cancelled the tender proposal for the construction of the Kalyan-Dombivali-Taloja Metro line-12.

In May 2023, the development authority invited bids for the project. The residents of the far-off suburbs in the Mumbai metropolitan region have long been requesting a metro route to address their commuting difficulties.

According to a senior MMRDA official, the previous alignment did not connect with the 11.1-km-long Navi Mumbai Metro-1, which is set to open soon.

A new bid will be issued to ensure that Metro-12 and Navi Mumbai Metro-1 are connected, allowing passengers to change platforms seamlessly, reports Free Press Journal.

This will create an interchange without causing inconvenience to the passengers.

Navi Mumbai Metro-1 has been extended from Belapur to Pendhar, with the revised plan now including Metro-12, going all the way to Pendhar instead of stopping a few kilometre short at Taloja.

Orange Line

The metro corridor, also known as the Orange Line, was planned to be 20.75-km-long and would connect the extended suburbs of Mumbai. These areas are experiencing rapid population growth and lack an efficient public transportation network.

This new metro line will be an extension of the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro line-5.

It will also connect with the Wadala-Ghatkopar-Kasarvadavali-Gaimukh lines 4 and 4A. This means that commuters from the eastern suburbs will be able to reach Taloja by changing metros at two stations.

Initially, the cancelled bid for Metro line-12 included 17 metro stations along its route.

The 17 stations started from Kalyan East, and then at Ganesh Nagar, Pisavali Gaon, Golavali, Dombivali MIDC, Sagaon, Manpada, Sonarpada, Hedutane, Kolegaon, Nilje Gaon, Vadavali, Bale, Waklan, Turbhe, Pisarve Depot, Pisarve, and Taloja.

Currently, to travel to Taloja, people have to either use the road or take a train to Diva and then switch to another local train heading towards Panvel or Roha. However, there are only a limited number of trains available between Diva and Panvel/Roha.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,521.80 crore. The projected completion date may need to be rescheduled.

While the MMRDA officials are optimistic about completing the Orange line in three years, the actual completion date may be subject to changes due to challenges such as the rehabilitation of structures in congested areas of Kalyan and other locations along the right of way.