Mumbai is set to take a major step forward in sustainable urban mobility as the much-awaited Metro Line 2B gears up for its first trial run on a crucial 5.4-kilometre stretch between Diamond Garden in Chembur and Mandale in Mankhurd.
The internal trials, commencing on April 16, mark a significant milestone in the phased rollout of the 23.6-kilometre-long elevated corridor that aims to bridge the city’s western suburbs with its eastern fringe. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the nodal agency for the project, has confirmed that the trial run will be conducted initially by internal teams, followed by comprehensive inspections by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and later the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). The partial stretch is expected to be opened to commuters in the coming months, subject to safety certifications and regulatory clearances.
Equipped with five strategically located metro stations — Diamond Garden, Shivaji Chowk, BSNL Metro, Mankhurd, and Mandale — the newly energised section is designed to enhance east-west connectivity across Mumbai, a city historically constrained by linear suburban rail corridors. These metro stations, once operational, will offer a faster, cleaner alternative to overcrowded roads and reduce reliance on personal vehicles — a significant boost to the city’s decarbonisation goals. The first six-coach rake, manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited, has already been delivered to the Mandale depot, which is being developed on a 31.4-hectare plot. With rolling stock in place, the operational preparedness of the stretch is now under active testing. Once fully functional, Metro Line 2B is expected to cut travel time by up to 75 per cent on the corridor while simultaneously reducing emissions and easing traffic pressure.
The full Metro Line 2B corridor, stretching from DN Nagar in Andheri West to Mandale in Mankhurd, will traverse dense residential and commercial zones and interface with key transit networks such as the Western and Eastern Express Highways, the suburban railway lines, Monorail, and other metro corridors including Lines 2A, 3, and 4. With 20 stations planned over the 23.6-km route, the line is poised to become a vital backbone of east-west public transit in Mumbai. However, the journey to this stage has not been without challenges. Officials acknowledged that the line has suffered multiple delays, pushing back the original target of commercial operations from December 2025. Among the primary reasons cited were difficulties in relocating underground utilities, navigating congested zones with daytime traffic limitations, and pandemic-induced disruptions in labour supply and logistics. Despite these hurdles, the project is now visibly progressing with critical infrastructure in place.
The broader vision behind Metro Line 2B aligns closely with Mumbai’s urban development agenda of creating a more integrated, equitable, and climate-resilient public transport ecosystem. In a metropolis where vehicular emissions are among the leading contributors to poor air quality, expanding metro connectivity offers not just convenience but an urgent environmental remedy. Experts highlight that each operational kilometre of metro rail can divert thousands of daily commuters from polluting vehicles to electrified mass transit. Moreover, the metro corridor is expected to play a transformative role in democratising access to mobility. By linking working-class residential hubs in the eastern suburbs with commercial centres in the west, it could reduce commute times and costs for large segments of Mumbai’s workforce. The gender-neutral design of metro coaches, stations with surveillance and lighting, and seamless ticketing options also point towards a more inclusive approach to urban transit planning.
As infrastructure works advance toward final testing, attention is also turning to last-mile connectivity and intermodal integration. Stakeholders are pushing for better pedestrian pathways, feeder bus services, and secure bicycle parking to complement the metro and extend its utility beyond the station premises. Such auxiliary systems will be crucial in ensuring that Metro 2B does not operate in isolation but becomes a fulcrum of a modern, multi-modal Mumbai. The upcoming public trials and safety evaluations will be watched closely, not only as a technical milestone but also as a barometer of public readiness and confidence in mass rapid transit systems. Mumbaikars, long accustomed to the inefficiencies of surface transport, are increasingly looking to the metro as the foundation for a cleaner, faster, and more liveable city.
While the completion of the full corridor remains several quarters away, the launch of trial operations marks a clear turning point. If executed with sustained momentum and community buy-in, Metro Line 2B could signal a paradigm shift in how Mumbai moves — faster, greener, and more equitably.
Mumbai Metro 2B Trial Begins Between Mandale and Chembur
