by datta Nighut 
Mumbai Metro system is speeding up, and off-road buses are becoming a thing of the past in many parts of the city. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that Mumbai will boast a 100 km metro network by next year, with metro lines extending even to rural areas in a mission-mode effort. Speaking at the tunnel breakthrough ceremony for Metro Line 7A at Bawanwadi, Fadnavis called the metro Mumbai’s new lifeline.
Metro Expansion: Reaching Every Corner of Mumbai
The metro network is expanding rapidly, connecting areas that once relied solely on buses. Metro Line 7A, a 3.4 km extension from Dahisar East to Gundavali, is a key part of this growth. It will link with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) via two stations: an elevated station at Airport Colony and an underground station at CSMIA. This line, combined with Metro Line 3, will connect south and north Mumbai, slashing travel time by up to an hour for commuters from Mira Bhayandar in the north to Colaba in the south.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and J Kumar Infraprojects are driving this project at breakneck speed. The Line 7A tunnel breakthrough marks a major milestone, with over 52% of the work already complete. The line is expected to be operational by December 2026. To make way for the project, 200 slums were relocated, and a sewer line was diverted, showcasing the scale of this engineering marvel.
A Seamless Airport Connection
Metro Line 7A’s integration with Line 3 means passengers can travel from Mira Road or Andheri directly to the international airport without stepping outside. The underground stations are designed to connect seamlessly, making travel smoother than ever. This line also crosses over Metro Line 3, creating a vital intersection that boosts connectivity.
Fadnavis highlighted the importance of airport connectivity, saying, “For any city, international airport connectivity is critical, and this metro line will deliver that.” The project is part of MMRDA’s ambitious plan to build 337 km of metro lines across Mumbai, with Lines 1 and 2 already operational and Lines 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 in progress.
Metro Line 2B: The Yellow Line Gears Up
On April 16, Metro Line 2B, also known as the Yellow Line, successfully completed a trial run. Stretching over 5 km from Mandale to Diamond Garden in Chembur, this line connects DN Nagar in Andheri to Mandale. It’s expected to open to the public by December this year, further easing Mumbai’s traffic woes.
Engineering Marvels and Future Plans
The tunnel boring machine (TBM) used for Line 7A’s underground section is a prototype of cutting-edge technology, with the breakthrough celebrated as a thrilling moment for Mumbai’s metro journey. While Mumbai already has some underground tunnels, Line 7A’s deeper alignment sets it apart.
The Maharashtra government is betting big on the metro as the city’s lifeline. With trial runs for Line 2B and tunnel breakthroughs for Line 7A, Mumbai is on track to become a metro-powered city, connecting north to south and airport to suburbs with ease.
