Mumbai Metro 9 Nears Milestone: Trial Runs Set to Start, Boosting Connectivity
Mumbai’s Metro Red Line 9 is poised to launch trial runs this week, a significant step forward for the city’s transportation network. The trials, expected to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, follow the successful activation of overhead traction wires on Saturday, paving the way for dynamic testing. This development marks a crucial milestone for Thane’s first Metro rail, enhancing connectivity across Mumbai’s western suburbs.
Metro Line 9 extends the existing Red Line 7, which operates between Andheri East and Dahisar East. The new line will connect Dahisar to Mira-Bhayandar, with the first phase linking Andheri’s Western Express Highway to Kashimira. The second phase will extend further to Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium in Bhayandar West. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has prioritized safety, issuing a public advisory last week to avoid the corridor between Dahisar and Kashigaon due to live 25,000-volt overhead wires. The upcoming trials will rigorously test train movements, signaling, communications, and safety systems to ensure readiness for public operation.
Kashimira station, located just 1.4 km from Mira Road’s Western Railway station, will serve as a vital intermodal hub. MMRDA Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee emphasized a phased approach to commissioning, stating, “Instead of waiting for entire corridors, we’re prioritizing opening ready sections.” He added, as quoted by Mid-day, that Metro Line 9 aligns with the vision of “Mumbai in Minutes,” delivering fast, reliable, and sustainable transport.
Once operational, Metro Line 9 is expected to significantly reduce commuting times by 50 to 75 percent, depending on road conditions. The line will integrate with the Western Express Highway, Western Railway, Metro Line 2A (Dahisar to D N Nagar), and Metro Line 7, creating a seamless transport network. By 2031, the MMRDA projects a daily ridership of 11.12 lakh passengers, underscoring the line’s importance to Mumbai’s expanding Metro system.