Mumbai Metro Line 2B, one of the city’s most anticipated transport projects, is inching closer to operational readiness as the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) prepares to conduct the final safety inspection. This inspection will mark a crucial milestone for Phase 1 of the line, a stretch that links Mandale to Diamond Garden over 5.3 kilometres with five stations.
Officials confirmed that the safety review will be carried out in the coming weeks, paving the way for a public launch by December this year. The section under inspection includes stations at Diamond Garden, Shivaji Chowk, BSNL, Mankhurd, and Mandale. Once cleared, commuters in the eastern corridor of the city will gain much-needed connectivity, particularly those travelling between the central suburbs and upcoming hubs around Mankhurd and Chembur. Trial runs for this section began in April 2025, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) conducting extensive system tests to ensure compliance with national safety protocols. Officials emphasised that inspections by the CMRS are rigorous, focusing on passenger safety, signalling reliability, rolling stock performance, and emergency evacuation standards. Only after these approvals can passenger operations commence.
Metro Line 2B, also called the Yellow Line, stretches a total of 23.64 kilometres from D N Nagar to Mandale, connecting 20 stations across Mumbai. To fast-track delivery, the project was divided into phases, with Phase 1 prioritised due to its strategic location and readiness. The entire line is targeted for completion by 2027. The metro corridor is seen as critical for reducing road congestion along the city’s eastern flank. With daily traffic choking arterial routes, experts highlight that new metro connectivity could ease reliance on road-based transport, cutting down fuel consumption and reducing carbon emissions. Transport planners suggest that even partial commissioning of the line could ease bottlenecks in areas such as Chembur and Mankhurd, which are heavily dependent on buses and private vehicles.
Urban transport experts note that the Metro Line 2B project, once fully operational, will significantly complement other under-construction corridors, creating a seamless network across Mumbai. “With multiple metro lines coming into service, the city is building the foundations of a mass rapid transit system capable of carrying millions while reducing environmental impact,” an official explained. The timeline for the project has seen delays over the years due to land acquisition hurdles and construction bottlenecks. However, the CMRS inspection indicates that at least the Mandale–Diamond Garden section is ready to move forward. For commuters, the commissioning will mean shorter travel times and enhanced connectivity to residential and industrial zones in Mumbai’s eastern neighbourhoods.
For now, the spotlight remains on the upcoming safety clearance. If CMRS grants approval, Mumbai could see passengers boarding Metro Line 2B Phase 1 before the year ends, marking a step forward in the city’s long-awaited transit upgrade.
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