Maharashtra approves ₹6,607 cr metro projects

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra recently approved two new Metro projects in Mumbai commanding a combined length of 13.581 km and entailing an investment of ₹6,607 crore. The new projects would bring the airport to suburban rail/metro network and extend the Metro network to neighboring city of Mira Bhayandar. The Cabinet approved Dahisar-Mira Bhayander route known as Metro line 9, and Metro 7-A that is extension of Metro line 7 to connect Andheri and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport. The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has been empowered to raise funds for the projects, said the CMO office in a statement. The Dahisar-Mira Bhayander route will be 10.41 km long elevated corridor and will have 11 stations, while the Andheri-CSMI airport Metro 7-A will be 3.17 km long of which 2.11 km will be underground. The Metro line 9 is expected to cut down the commuting time between the two neighboring cities by 40 minutes. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2022 when it will serve 8.47 lakh commuters. Currently Mumbai had one operational Metro line while four others are in various stages of construction.