Mumbai Metro Line 9 Trial Run Begins, Promising Relief for Commuters
MUMBAI: On Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the trial run and technical inspection of Phase 1 of Mumbai Metro Line 9, connecting Kashigaon to Dahisar (East), a significant step toward easing the city’s chronic traffic woes. Speaking at Kashigaon, approximately 20 km from Thane, Fadnavis announced that the metro line, part of Mumbai’s ambitious metro expansion, is nearing completion and will soon be operational. The event, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, underscored the Mahayuti government’s focus on accelerating infrastructure development across the state.
The 4.97-km stretch, energized with 25,000-volt overhead traction wires, is undergoing rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficiency. Once operational, Metro Line 9 is expected to significantly reduce congestion on the Western Express Highway, offering relief to commuters traveling from Mira-Bhayandar and surrounding areas. Fadnavis highlighted the project’s innovative double-decker bridge, a first in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which integrates metro and railway tracks to optimize space and further alleviate traffic bottlenecks.
The Chief Minister emphasized the metro’s role as a vital urban transport solution, complementing existing lines like the one connecting Andheri. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to seamless regional connectivity, with plans to extend the line to Virar in the future. “No one can slow down Maharashtra’s development momentum,” Fadnavis told reporters, responding to queries about the ruling coalition’s stability. “The Mahayuti government is driving progress at full speed, and we welcome any support to accelerate it further.”
According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Metro Line 9’s Phase 1 includes four stations: Dahisar, Pandurang Wadi, Miragaon, and Kashigaon. The full 11.4-km corridor, an extension of Metro Line 7, will eventually link Dahisar East to Mira-Bhayandar, serving as a feeder route to other metro lines and reducing travel times by up to 75%. The MMRDA has cautioned residents to maintain a safe distance from the corridor during testing due to live traction wires, with commercial operations anticipated by year-end, pending final safety clearances from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety.
The trial run marks a milestone in Mumbai’s efforts to bolster its public transport network, addressing the daily commuting challenges faced by millions in the bustling metropolis.