Residents of Mumbai’s eastern suburbs have renewed their appeal for improved mass transit connectivity by formally requesting an extension of Metro Line 1 towards Navi Mumbai. A citizens’ group representing neighbourhoods across Govandi, Mankhurd, and the surrounding settlements has submitted a proposal to state and national authorities, seeking a direct metro link from Ghatkopar to Vashi to ease chronic congestion and support more inclusive regional mobility.
The proposal argues that while Mumbai’s expanding metro network is reshaping travel patterns in the western and central suburbs, the eastern corridor remains underserved despite its dense population and growing commuter pressure. According to the group, areas such as Kamaraj Nagar, Rising City, Govandi, and Mankhurd collectively rely on a limited mix of suburban rail and overburdened arterial roads, leaving residents with long travel times and constrained access to economic opportunities across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Metro Line 1, which currently runs between Versova and Ghatkopar, is Mumbai’s busiest elevated line and carries nearly half of the metro network’s daily ridership. Urban mobility specialists note that extending this corridor to Vashi would create a rare multimodal connector integrating the Central, Western, and Harbour railway systems. This would streamline commutes across municipal boundaries and deepen public transport integration between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, two cities increasingly linked through employment, housing, and service networks.
A transport expert said the proposed extension could also strengthen climate-resilient mobility by reducing dependence on private vehicles and easing emissions from high-traffic routes such as the Sion–Panvel Highway. The group behind the appeal emphasised that the corridor’s catchment includes thousands of daily wage earners, students, and service-sector workers who would benefit from a more predictable and affordable transit option. A member of the organisation added that extending the line would help balance urban development by improving access for historically neglected neighbourhoods. The citizens’ collective, which works on issues of mobility, civic participation, and sustainable urban growth, highlighted that the eastern suburbs have been largely absent from ongoing and upcoming metro phases. They argue that this imbalance risks widening inequity within the city’s transport map at a time when Mumbai is investing heavily in rail-based systems to support its net-zero transition goals.
If taken forward, the proposed extension would create seamless transfers across multiple transport networks, improving last-mile access and potentially catalysing redevelopment along the corridor. Planning specialists noted that such a project would require feasibility studies, cost assessments, and environmental evaluations, particularly given the sensitive coastal belts around Mankhurd. While authorities have not issued a formal response, analysts believe the proposal underscores growing citizen demand for more inclusive and geographically balanced urban mobility planning. For communities in the eastern belt, the extension represents not just convenience but the promise of a more equitable and connected metropolitan future.
Govandi Locals Demand Metro Line 1 Extension Linking Vashi Via Mankhurd For Better Connectivity
