The Maharashtra Government’s ambitious and extensive infrastructure initiative, the Mumbai Metro, aims to provide citizens with affordable and comprehensive connectivity solutions. The project is being executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority (MMRDA), except for the completely underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 (MML-3), which is being led by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL).
Due to overcrowding in Mumbai’s local train system, the Maharashtra government initiated the Mumbai metro project in 2006. The project has faced delays in land acquisition, environmental clearances, and project approvals, resulting in only one operational line, the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line.
Nonetheless, Metro 2A and Metro Line 7 are nearing completion and undergoing safety trials, while the remaining Mumbai metro lines are in various stages of construction. This article will delve into details of Mumbai metro routes, lines, stations, and corridors.
Mumbai Metro Route Map:
Mumbai Metro Route Map (Operational):
Mumbai Metro Route Map (Operational & Under Construction):
Mumbai Metro Future Network (2030) Route Map
The Mumbai Metro route network is expanding beyond the Mumbai region, with implementation being carried out by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
Only one Mumbai metro route is fully operational, while two other routes have been opened in phases. There are 14 metro routes in Mumbai, including two extensions, with five routes approved and eight under construction. The first line became operational in June 2014, while two additional routes were opened in April 2022.
The Mumbai Metro Line 2B (D N Nagar to Mandale), Metro Line 4 & 4A (Wadala-Kasarvadavali–Gaimukh), Metro Line 5 (Thane to Kalyan), Metro Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli), and Metro Line 9 (Andheri to CSIA and Dahisar to Mira Bhayander) are currently under construction, with civil works already in progress. The MMRDA expects all these routes to be completed by 2022-2024.
1. Mumbai Metro route: Line 1 (Blue Line)
The Mumbai Metro Line 1, also known as the Blue Line on the metro map, is an operational route that connects Versova with Ghatkopar via Andheri. This elevated route covers a distance of 11.4 kilometers and is a popular mode of transport in Mumbai, connecting key areas in the western suburbs with the central suburbs.
The MMRDA has recently announced that the speed of Mumbai Metro Line 1 has been increased from 65 km/hr to 80 km/hr, and 18 trips per day have been added to the line.
2. Mumbai Metro route: Line 2 [Yellow Line]
The Mumbai Metro Line 2, also known as the Yellow Line, is a 42-kilometer-long route on the Mumbai metro network and is divided into two sub-sections: Mumbai Metro Line 2A and Mumbai Metro Line 2B.
The 2A section of Mumbai Metro Line 2 is an 18-kilometer-long corridor between Dahisar-Charkop-DN Nagar and 17 metro stations. The MMRDA has renamed 15 out of the 17 stations based on citizen demands to make the metro station names more location-specific. The two stations whose names still need to be changed are Dahisar East Metro Station and Eksar Metro Station. There are also reports of demands to change the name of Pahadi Eksar Metro station to Shimpoli.
The 2B section of Mumbai Metro Line 2 will link DN Nagar-BKC-Mankhurd and will be 23.5 kilometers long. The estimated cost of this project is around Rs 17,000 crores. The first phase of the 2A Mumbai metro route, which covers a distance of 9.5 kilometers and has nine stations, began operations on April 2, 2022. The 2A route runs between Dahisar, Anand Nagar, Kandarpada, IC Colony, Eksar, Borivali West, Pahadi Eksar, Kandivali West, and Dhanukarwadi.
To ride on the first phase of Mumbai metro routes 2A and 7, the fare ranges from a minimum of Rs 10 to a maximum of Rs 50, depending on the distance traveled. The Mumbai metro trains operate from 6 am to 10 PM, and the fare structure is as follows: Rs. 10 for 0-3 km, Rs 20 for 3-12 km, Rs 30 for 12-18 km, Rs 40 for 18-24 km, and Rs 50 for 24-30 km.
Commuters can purchase QR code-based mobile or paper tickets, while smart cards and app-based season tickets will be launched later. Daily tickets must be purchased initially, but metro passes will be issued after two months.
3. Mumbai Metro route: Line 3 [Aqua Line]
The Mumbai Metro route Line 3, also called the Aqua Line, is entirely underground and spans 33.5 km from Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai to SEEPZ and Aarey in north Mumbai. It has 26 underground stations and one at-grade station, including a station at the Mumbai Airport, which will increase regional connectivity.
As of January 31, 2023, civil works are 90.6% complete, systems works are 46.1% complete, track works are 53.8% complete, station construction is 88.3% complete, and tunneling is 100% complete. The estimated cost of construction was initially Rs 23,136 crore, still, due to cost escalation, an additional Rs 10,269 crore on August 10, 2022, totaling Rs 33,405 crore.
The first phase of the Aqua Line, from Aarey to BKC, is expected to begin operations by the end of 2023. The trial run of the Aqua Line was inaugurated at Sariput Nagar in Aarey Colony by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 will integrate at eight public transport locations, including Mumbai CSMT, Churchgate termini, Grant Road and Mumbai Central railway stations, Dadar MSRTC bus depot, Mahalakshmi monorail, and Mumbai Metro Lines 1 and 2B, improving regional connectivity.
The initial design proving train trial runs, including dynamic and static testing, for Mumbai Metro Line 3 have been completed. Construction is underway to connect the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) old subway to Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3, providing seamless travel options to the public. MMRCL has already installed barricades in front of the subway at the entry point near Canon.
4. Mumbai Metro route: Line 4 [Green Line]
Mumbai Metro Line 4, also called the Green Line, will link Wadala in south-central Mumbai to Kasarvadavali in Thane, providing improved connectivity between the two cities and easing the burden on the local train system. The estimated cost of this endeavor is Rs 15,000 crores.
5. Mumbai Metro route: Line 5 [Orange Line]
The Orange Line, also known as the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro-5 corridor, will be an elevated metro route with a length of 24.9 km and 17 stations. The cost of construction for this project is Rs 8,417 crore. Once completed, the Metro-5 corridor will be integrated with Metro-4 and Metro-11 corridors.
On January 22, 2023, the final section of the 550-meter viaduct over the Kasheli creek was installed. This will be Mumbai’s first metro viaduct to pass over a water body. The Kasheli Creek bridge has 15 segments and 13 spans, with 9 underwater. Each span is 42.23 meters, and the viaduct was constructed over 123 days using launching girders by infrastructure company Afcons.
The first phase of the Mumbai Metro Line 5 will connect Thane to Bhiwandi and include the creek bridge, while the second phase will connect Bhiwandi to Kalyan. Integration work between Metro-5 and Metro-4 has been 70% completed, with a viaduct connecting six metro stations, including Balkum, Kasheli, Kalher, Purna, Anjurphata, and Dhamankar Naka.
6. Mumbai Metro route: Line 6 [Pink Line]
According to MMRDA’s announcement on February 13, 2023, Mumbai Metro 6 is 66% complete. The 15.31 km Pink Line will run from Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli (EEH), passing through Jogeshwari, WEH, and Powai. Several stations of this corridor are integrated with other metro corridors, such as Line 2A, Line 7, Line 3, and Line 4. MMRDA is also constructing a 2.58 km road flyover below Metro Line 6 at a common pier in the road median to provide additional transport facilities.
S.V.R. Srinivas, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, stated that Metro Line 6 would provide rail-based connectivity between the western and eastern suburbs, contributing to an integrated public transport network for Mumbai residents. This will be the second west-east metro corridor, following the already operational Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar section.
7. Mumbai Metro route: Line 7 (Red Line)
Mumbai Metro Line-7, also called the Red Line, is a 33.5-kilometer route connecting Dahisar with Andheri and then to the Mumbai International Airport. It will consist of 29 metro stations, 14 elevated and the rest underground. The line was originally planned to start operations in 2020, but construction was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phase 1 of the Mumbai Metro Line-7 began operations in April 2022, while phase 2 is 98% complete. Trial runs for phase 2 are expected to begin in October 2022, with commercial operations starting by the end of December 2022.
The MMRDA has also announced plans to construct a foot overbridge at Goregaon station on Metro Line 7, connecting to the Goregaon western railway station.
8. Mumbai Metro route: Line 8 (Gold Line)
The proposed Mumbai metro route 8, also called the Gold Line, will connect the Mumbai Airport to the Navi Mumbai Airport with a total distance of 32 kilometers. The estimated cost of this project is Rs 15,000 crores, including the construction of approximately eight metro stations along the route.
9. Mumbai Metro route: Line 9 (Red Line Extension)
The Mumbai Metro Line-9 is an extension of Line 7 and Metro-2A, running from Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk with a connection to Mira Road or Metro-10. The project is estimated to cost Rs 3,600 crores, but due to procedural delays, the expected start date has been pushed to October 2024.
10. Mumbai Metro route: Line 10, 11 (Green Line Extension)
Mumbai Metro Lines 10 and 11 are metro routes extending from the Green Line, also called Mumbai Metro Line 4. They will link Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road) and Wadala to CSMT. In 2017, the foundation stone for these lines was laid by PM Narendra Modi.
11. Mumbai Metro route: Line 12 (Orange Line Extension)
To improve connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, a proposed metro project will extend Mumbai Metro Line 5 to connect Kalyan and Taloja.
12. Mumbai Metro route: Line 13 (Purple Line)
A new 23-km-long Mumbai metro route is being planned as the Purple Line, which will connect Mira Road and Virar at an estimated cost of 6,900 crores. The project is currently in the process of creating a detailed project report and is expected to be completed in 2026.
13. Mumbai Metro route: Line 14 (Magenta Line)
This proposed Mumbai metro project, the Magenta Line, has received approval and will link Vikhroli to Kanjurmarg and later to Ambernath-Badlapur. It will also interchange with the Pink Line, or Line 6. The project is currently in the stage of creating a detailed project report and is expected to cost around Rs 13,500 crores. This Mumbai metro route’s targeted completion date is October 2026.
Navi Mumbai Metro Route:
The Navi Mumbai Metro project, overseen by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), will feature the smallest trains in the state, with three cars that can be expanded to six coaches. Maha Metro has been selected to operate services on Line 1 of the project, which runs from Belapur to Pendhar and includes 11 stations and 11 km of track, and a maintenance depot at Taloja. The contract with Maha Metro is for 10 years.
Types of Mumbai Metro Tickets:
Mumbai Metro offers passengers two types of tickets: Tokens and Smart Cards.
Token:
A Token is a prepaid ticket that passengers can purchase for a single journey, and it remains valid for a day from purchase until the end of operation hours. Once a passenger enters the system by tapping the token in the paid area, they must exit the same station within 20 minutes or the destination station within 75 minutes.
Smart Card:
On the other hand, a Smart Card is an electronic card available for purchase from any Mumbai Metro station’s Customer Care counter. To obtain a Smart Card, passengers must pay a security deposit of Rs. 50 and recharge it with Rs. 100/200/300/500 or 1000. The journey cost between two stations is deducted from the card every time a passenger taps the card at the exit gate.
Tokens are ideal for infrequent travelers, whereas Smart Cards are more suitable for those who travel regularly.
How To Recharge Mumbai Metro Card Online?
You can easily add funds to your Mumbai Metro card online, including the Reliance Metro website and digital payment applications like Google Pay and Paytm. The process for each method is as follows:
Reliance Mumbai Metro:
- Visit the Reliance Mumbai Metro website and click on “Instacharge.”
- Enter your card number, recharge amount, name, address, email ID, and mobile number, and complete the Captcha verification.
- Click “Confirm.”
- Enter the payment amount and pay using a credit card, debit card, or UPI ID.
Paytm:
- Open the Paytm application on your phone.
- Click “Metro” in the All Services section and select “Mumbai Metro.”
- Choose “Smart Card Recharge” and enter the card number.
- Click “Proceed.”
- Pay a credit card, debit card, or Paytm wallet balance.
Mumbai Metro: Contact Information:-
If you need additional information, you can contact Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited via mail or by visiting their office. Their contact details are as follows:
- Office Address: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited,
202, 2nd Floor and 801 & 803, 8th Floor,
Hallmark Business Plaza,
Opposite Gurunanak Hospital,
Sant Dnyaneshwar Marg,
Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051 - E-mail Address: contact@mmrcl.com
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Mumbai Metro aims to address the population’s growing needs and urbanization by providing an efficient and affordable mode of transportation. Upon completion, the Mumbai metro system will provide a smooth and convenient mode of transit for the people.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What are the safety measures in place at Mumbai Metro Rail stations? A: Mumbai Metro Rail has implemented several safety measures to ensure the safety and security of its commuters. Each station is equipped with CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and baggage scanners to screen for any suspicious or prohibited items. Additionally, the stations have trained security personnel, who are deployed at strategic locations to keep an eye on the commuters and ensure that there are no incidents of theft or vandalism. In case of an emergency, Mumbai Metro Rail also has a well-defined emergency response system, which includes an emergency alarm button on the train, and a dedicated emergency helpline number. Commuters are advised to follow the safety guidelines and regulations set by Mumbai Metro Rail, to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience.
A: The fare structure of Mumbai Metro Rail varies depending on the distance traveled, with fares ranging from Rs. 10 to Rs. 110. Commuters can travel on a single journey token or purchase a smart card, which offers a 10% discount on the fare. Mumbai Metro Rail also offers a special discount for students and senior citizens, with a 50% concession on the fare. Commuters can purchase tokens or recharge their smart cards at the ticket counters or through the Mumbai Metro Rail app.
A: Mumbai Metro Rail has implemented several safety measures to ensure the safety and security of its commuters. Each station has CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and baggage scanners to screen for suspicious or prohibited items. Additionally, the stations have trained security personnel, who are deployed at strategic locations, to keep an eye on the commuters and ensure that there are no incidents of theft or vandalism. In case of an emergency, Mumbai Metro Rail also has a well-defined emergency response system, which includes an emergency alarm button on the train and a dedicated emergency helpline number. Commuters are advised to follow the safety guidelines and regulations set by Mumbai Metro Rail to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience.
