Mumbai is expected to bring two new sections of its metro network into service by the end of the month, marking a fresh push to strengthen east–west connectivity and reduce the city’s dependence on road-based transport. Officials from the metropolitan development authority confirmed that parts of Metro Line 9 and Line 2B are likely to open before 31 December, forming the first phase of operations for both corridors.
According to officials, a short elevated stretch of Line 9 between Dahisar East and Kashigaon and a 5.3-kilometre segment of Line 2B between Diamond Garden and Mandale have completed key technical milestones. Authorisation from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety is expected shortly, after which the sections can be cleared for passenger movement. The approvals are being fast-tracked in view of the model code of conduct expected ahead of local body polls, an official familiar with the process said. Metro Line 9, an extension of the existing Line 7, spans 13.58 kilometres and links Dahisar East with the fast-growing Mira–Bhayandar region. As several suburbs in the northern belt continue to densify rapidly, planners say the corridor is essential for reducing pressure on arterial roads and enabling low-carbon commuting for residents who currently rely heavily on buses and private vehicles. The new segment is designed to integrate with the broader North–South rapid transit spine already being built across the western suburbs.
Line 2B, which will ultimately run from DN Nagar to Mandale in Mankhurd, represents a key step in bridging the connectivity gap in eastern Mumbai. Trial runs on the first phase—from Mandale to Diamond Garden—have been underway for several weeks. Engineers involved in the project said the stretch would ease travel for residents in the eastern corridor who have long faced limited public transport alternatives and lengthy road congestion, especially during peak hours. The development authority plans to operationalise the second phase of Line 2B, between DN Nagar and Saraswat Nagar in Khar, by next summer. Once that is complete, only the central portion between Saraswat Nagar and Diamond Garden will remain under construction. The full 23.6-kilometre route, comprising 20 stations, is expected to offer Mumbai its second major east–west metro connection, a move that transport experts describe as crucial for achieving long-term climate-responsive and inclusive mobility goals.
Industry observers note that expanding metro access not only shifts commuters away from polluting transport modes but also increases opportunities for equitable travel by offering affordable, reliable links between residential clusters and employment hubs. Officials said the two new openings will bring Mumbai closer to its vision of a seamless, multi-modal urban transport ecosystem, driven by electrified rail infrastructure rather than traffic-heavy surface roads. As both corridors near commissioning, planners emphasise that expanding metro coverage remains central to improving air quality, reducing traffic noise, and enhancing accessibility for all commuters, including women, senior citizens, and low-income groups who depend on safe and predictable mobility choices.
Mumbai To Open First Phases Of Two New Metro Lines Later This Month
