As part of the ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project, the city is set to witness the creation of Mumbai’s first full-scale Metro interchange station, potentially transforming the congested locality into a central node of public transport.
According to sources close to the planning, the proposed “Dharavi Central Metro Station” will serve as a critical connector for commuters across all major Metro corridors. The station is being designed as a multi-level, multi-modal hub that integrates Metro lines, suburban railways, feeder buses, and non-motorised transport systems. Planners believe this will not only revolutionise last-mile connectivity but also reduce bottlenecks across Mumbai’s existing transport network. “There is a proposal to build a Dharavi Central Metro Station which could become the key east-west-north-south connector,” a source familiar with the project said. “It’s being planned as a multi-level station, and if it comes through, it will completely change how people move across the city.” Strategically located, Dharavi sits at the junction of several key transport arteries. It is in proximity to Metro Line 3, the Western and Central Railway lines, and is less than three kilometres from the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail terminal. The redevelopment plan leverages this location to reimagine Dharavi as a model of integrated urban mobility.
The proposed extension of Metro Line 11 through Dharavi is expected to bring further connectivity, placing the area at the heart of a transit-oriented development model. With a projected increase in population post-redevelopment, the Metro interchange station is being seen as essential infrastructure to support growth while promoting sustainable urban transport. Sources indicate the hub will be located at the intersection of Metro Line 11 and major city roads, offering seamless transitions between transport modes. “This won’t just be a Metro station,” said a planning source. “It will be a place where people can switch between different kinds of transport smoothly, linking Dharavi with the rest of Mumbai.” In addition to the Metro, feeder bus routes will be introduced to link surrounding neighbourhoods to the station. These efforts aim to ensure inclusive access for all commuters, from daily wage earners to office-goers, minimising reliance on private vehicles.
Officials describe the proposal as a turning point not just for Dharavi but for Mumbai’s larger vision of inclusive and future-ready public infrastructure. If approved and implemented, the Dharavi interchange could serve as a blueprint for mobility-focused redevelopment across urban India.
