Mumbai Metro 7A, Metro 9 Projects Pushed to 2026
Mumbaikars eager for quicker and more efficient transit will have to endure a longer wait as two key Metro projects, Metro 9 and Metro 7A, are experiencing significant delays. Both routes, overseen by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), have seen construction timelines extended due to a variety of challenges, including rate hikes for contractors and other logistical hurdles.
Originally scheduled for completion in 2022 and 2023, the Dahisar-Mira-Bhayander Metro 9 line and the Andheri East to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Metro 7A line are now projected to be completed in June 2025 and July 2026, respectively. These delays are a setback for the residents of Mumbai, who were hoping for quicker access to the metro services that are designed to ease congestion and improve connectivity across key areas of the city. Metro 9, which will connect Dahisar and Mira-Bhayander, has seen significant progress in its construction, yet several challenges remain, including the delayed completion of its car shed. To overcome this, MMRDA is considering the option of utilising the car shed for Metro 7, located in Andheri, in order to expedite the partial launch of services. However, full-fledged operations are not expected to commence until later, pushing back the timeline even further.
While Metro 9 may see a phased rollout beginning in late 2025 or early 2026, Metro 7A, which will connect Andheri East to the international airport, will not be ready until mid-2026. This extended wait for both services represents a significant delay from the original timelines, which were set for completion in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Experts attribute the delays to various factors, including regulatory issues, financial revisions due to rate hikes, and the complexities of urban infrastructure development. With the pressure mounting on MMRDA to meet the revised deadlines, the upcoming metro lines remain crucial for the city’s transport infrastructure. For now, Mumbaikars will have to wait longer to benefit from the relief these two metro lines promise, making it clear that while progress continues, patience will be required for a while longer.
