Mumbai’s long-awaited Metro Line 8 project, known as the Gold Line, is one step closer to reality with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) formally submitting its Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Maharashtra government. The proposed 34.89-kilometre corridor will connect the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), promising to transform inter-airport connectivity and ease congestion on major arterial routes.
According to senior officials, the state cabinet is likely to take up the proposal in its forthcoming meeting. Once cleared by the Maharashtra government, the project will move to the Public Investment Board (PIB) for financial vetting, followed by the Union Cabinet’s final approval. The multi-stage approval process will set the foundation for one of the city’s most critical urban transport projects. The Metro Line 8 route is designed to integrate two of India’s busiest aviation hubs through a sustainable, high-capacity metro network. Comprising 20 stations—14 elevated and 6 underground—the line is projected to reduce the travel time between the two airports to just 40 to 45 minutes. At present, the same journey takes over 90 minutes by road, often worsened by traffic congestion on the Sion-Panvel and Eastern Express Highways.
Officials familiar with the project said the Gold Line will act as a major mobility spine, directly benefiting both business and leisure travellers while easing traffic on existing road corridors. The project will also link several key residential and commercial zones in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, enabling seamless intermodal connectivity between the suburban railway, metro, and airport transit systems. Transport experts describe the Gold Line as a critical step toward a more balanced and sustainable urban mobility framework. By encouraging commuters to shift from private vehicles to a fast, electric, and reliable metro service, the line supports the state’s commitment to building low-carbon public transport infrastructure. The project is also expected to create significant employment during construction and operation, stimulating economic activity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Officials emphasise that once approvals are granted, the project’s implementation will be expedited under a public infrastructure priority framework. The corridor will be developed to international standards, with design elements focusing on passenger comfort, energy efficiency, and multimodal integration with airport terminals. Urban planners see the Gold Line as more than just an airport connector—it is envisioned as an enabler of regional mobility that links two rapidly expanding urban economies. By improving accessibility between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, it could also relieve pressure on the city’s saturated transport arteries and support balanced urban growth.
As Mumbai continues to evolve into a global financial and aviation hub, the timely completion of Metro Line 8 will be essential for achieving a more connected, sustainable, and commuter-friendly metropolis. For millions of travellers and residents, the Gold Line represents not just faster airport access, but a step forward in redefining how the city moves.
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