Mumbai Metro 12 To Link Kalyan Taloja Navi Mumbai Airport
Mumbai is on the cusp of a major transport transformation with the construction of Metro Line 12 a 22.17-km fully elevated corridor linking Kalyan to Taloja and extending seamless connectivity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The project, which began construction in March 2024, is expected to be completed by December 2027, and promises to slash travel times and ease congestion across key suburban hubs.
An extension of the Orange Line from Metro Line 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan), the corridor will feature 19 strategically located stations between APMC Kalyan and Amandoot in Taloja. Designed for multimodal integration, it will connect with Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 at Taloja, and with the future Metro Line 14 at Hedutane, creating a vital east-west and north-south transport spine for the metropolitan region.Once operational, Metro 12 is expected to cut the current 1–1.5 hour Kalyan–Taloja road journey to just 45 minutes, delivering an average time saving of nearly an hour each way. Transport experts say this efficiency boost will improve productivity for professionals commuting to Navi Mumbai’s industrial and business districts, while also supporting regional development and reducing road-based emissions in line with sustainable urban mobility goals.
The ₹5,865-crore project funded with escalation and tax provisions is being executed under an EPC contract by a leading infrastructure consortium at a bid value of around ₹2,037 crore. Construction is in the early stages, with foundational piling and viaduct work already underway. Upon completion, operations are expected from 6 AM to 10 PM, with trains running every 5–7 minutes during peak hours and 8–10 minutes during off-peak periods.Planned as part of a shared rolling stock system with Metro 5, the line will likely deploy six-coach rakes, serving an estimated daily ridership of 2.5–2.6 lakh by 2031, rising to 3 lakh by 2041. Fare structures will align with the city’s existing metro pricing, with full-length travel expected to cost between ₹50 and ₹60.
The metro’s environmental promise is significant it will cut vehicular congestion, curb pollution, and improve accessibility to economic clusters without increasing the city’s carbon footprint. Officials have emphasised that seamless interchange design, integration with suburban rail, and coordinated bus services will ensure equitable access for residents across socio-economic segments.In the broader scheme of Mumbai’s 337-km metro vision, Metro Line 12 stands out for its potential to bridge suburban distances while championing sustainable, people-centred transit development. If timelines hold, by the end of 2027, commuters in Kalyan, Dombivli, Thane, and Navi Mumbai may experience a rare blend of speed, convenience, and climate-conscious infrastructure.
