Mumbai’s long-discussed Metro Line 8, designed to directly connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), has reached a critical stage with the detailed project report (DPR) now submitted to the state government for clearance. The proposal has already secured approval from the urban development and finance departments and is expected to be tabled before the state cabinet within the next fortnight.
The 34.89-kilometre line is projected to cost around ₹23,000 crore and is proposed to be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, similar to Mumbai Metro Line 1. The nodal agency has sought viability gap funding of 20 per cent each from the state and central governments, while the balance will be mobilised by the private concessionaire under a build-operate-transfer structure. Planned as a high-capacity corridor, the line will include 20 stations, with six underground and 14 elevated. Projections estimate a daily ridership of over one million passengers by 2031. Officials emphasised that the corridor will serve as a seamless transit connector across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), linking with at least six existing and upcoming metro lines as well as suburban rail and bus terminals.
In a significant integration move, the alignment will also connect to the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), allowing long-distance train passengers direct access to both international airports. A senior official highlighted that this would not only serve business travellers but also facilitate affordable and convenient mobility for the working population commuting across MMR. To ensure robustness, the detailed project report is undergoing a peer review process by an independent expert agency. This review covers alignment design, ridership modelling, environmental and social impact studies, land acquisition challenges, and financing structures. Authorities clarified that only after incorporating these suggestions will the project move to the next stage, which includes formal approval for viability gap funding.
Experts have welcomed the project as a backbone for regional connectivity, noting that seamless airport-to-airport travel will enhance efficiency, reduce road congestion, and lower carbon emissions. The emphasis on mass rapid transit is also aligned with India’s climate commitments and the goal of building equitable, sustainable cities. While the proposal is progressing, infrastructure specialists caution that the scale of investment and the complexity of integration demand careful execution. Past metro projects in Mumbai have faced delays due to land acquisition and cost escalations, making strong governance and transparent partnership models vital for timely delivery.
If cleared by the cabinet, Metro Line 8 will emerge as one of the most important urban mobility projects in Maharashtra, bridging the region’s two major airports and redefining how the Mumbai Metropolitan Region navigates its growing transport needs. For a city often constrained by road traffic and rising air pollution, the project holds the potential to transform mobility in a sustainable, inclusive direction.
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