Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has successfully completed thematic painting on 2,537 metro pillars across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The initiative, now 86% complete, is part of a larger effort to improve city aesthetics and simplify wayfinding across metro corridors through line-specific visual cues.
The initiative involves colour-coded painting of pillars to represent specific metro lines—making it easier for commuters to identify routes at a glance. For example, pillars on a designated red line are painted in red-themed motifs, visually reinforcing the identity of that route. This approach not only enhances public convenience but also integrates visual design as a form of urban communication. According to senior officials from MMRDA, the beautification drive was carefully designed to balance form and function. “These painted pillars are more than just a cosmetic upgrade. They help reduce commuter confusion and contribute to a more organised transport environment,” said an official from the planning department.
Of the 2,962 total pillars identified for painting across the network, 2,537 have already been completed. The remaining 425 will be addressed once monsoon activity subsides, allowing uninterrupted civil works to resume. Significant progress has been made on multiple lines. On Line 2B (D.N. Nagar to Mandale), 623 of 653 pillars are now painted, reaching 96% completion. Line 4 and 4A (Wadala to Gaimukh via Kasarvadavali) stand at 82%, while Line 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan) has completed 430 of its 488 pillars. Lines 6 and 9 have crossed 68% and 93% completion respectively, while Line 7A, linking Andheri East to CSMIA airport, boasts 100% completion.
This aesthetic and logistical upliftment ties in with MMRDA’s broader mandate to transform Mumbai’s transit infrastructure into a commuter-friendly, sustainable, and visually coherent urban system. Metro lines under construction are already showing signs of faster public adaptation due to improved visibility and intuitive design cues made possible by this effort. Authorities have also urged citizens to protect the public infrastructure from defacement and cooperate in preserving the city’s evolving identity. Officials stressed that citizen engagement is vital to the long-term success of such public-facing projects.
While the work pauses temporarily for the monsoon, the MMRDA remains confident in delivering full completion within the stipulated timeline. As Mumbai’s urban skyline continues to change, these painted pillars not only carry metro tracks but also the visual identity of a more organised and thoughtful public realm.
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