Mumbai’s public transport network is set for a significant identity shift, with the metropolitan planning agency preparing to rename multiple Metro stations and advance long-pending corridor timelines in the city’s north-western suburbs. The decisions, shaped during a recent review meeting, reflect an ongoing push to streamline commuter experience while addressing infrastructure, rehabilitation, and housing concerns across dense neighbourhoods.
According to officials, the ESIC Metro Station on Metro Line 7 is proposed to be renamed as Hare Ram Hare Krishna Metro Station, a move that is awaiting final approval from the state leadership. The recommendation emerged during a detailed assessment of mobility challenges and infrastructure upgrades required in the constituency. The renaming is part of a broader exercise involving public demand, cultural relevance, and network-level clarity for passengers navigating the expanding Metro grid. Two additional proposals are under preparation by the development authority. These include renaming Mogra Metro Station as Shankarwadi and identifying the station near the Ayyappa Temple in Bangur Nagar as Ayyappa Mandir. Officials explained that such updates often reflect long-standing local requests and help strengthen neighbourhood identity within a rapidly urbanising transit system. However, industry experts highlighted the need to ensure that renaming exercises remain aligned with universal accessibility standards, especially for new commuters, senior citizens, and differently abled travellers who rely heavily on consistent wayfinding.
Alongside the renaming proposals, the meeting brought clarity on long-delayed Metro timelines. Metro Line 6, connecting the eastern and western corridors, is expected to begin passenger services by March 2026. Metro Line 7 is targeted for operational readiness the following year, with officials noting that ongoing civil and systems work is progressing as per revised schedules. Mobility specialists say that the completion of these corridors will ease pressure on road networks, reduce carbon emissions, and provide more gender-inclusive, safe, and reliable last-mile public transport. The meeting also addressed pressing housing and rehabilitation challenges linked to multiple redevelopment projects. The state housing authority, the slum rehabilitation agency, and the urban development department will convene to resolve long-pending concerns affecting residents of the Tricharan Saptakar Co-operative Housing Society’s rehabilitation scheme. Officials confirmed that documentation, financial approvals, and resettlement-related bottlenecks require urgent coordination to avoid delays that adversely impact lower-income households.
In a related development, certification was issued confirming that the Sigma Heights Co-operative Housing Society in Ram Mandir has been formally registered with the housing regulator. This step enables residents to move forward with legal, maintenance, and governance matters essential for long-term housing security. Overall, the review meeting covered nearly 30 civic and mobility issues. Officials described the discussions as constructive, noting that coordinated decision-making is crucial for strengthening public transport, improving rehabilitation processes, and building more inclusive and resilient neighbourhoods. For citizens, transport clarity and housing stability remain central to achieving a more equitable and sustainable urban future.
ESIC Metro Station To Be Renamed Hare Ram Hare Krishna Amid Expansion Timelines
