Mumbai: The Maharashtra cabinet has approved several major new metro projects in Mumbai, marking a noteworthy boost to the city’s public transport infrastructure. The flagship among these is the ₹23,487 crore Mumbai Metro Line-11, a 17.51-km underground corridor that will connect Wadala to the iconic Gateway of India.

As part of a large infrastructure package, Metro Line-11 will serve as an extension of the Wadala–Thane–Kasarvadavli Metro Line-4. The corridor will feature 14 stations, mostly underground, including stops at Sewri, Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar, CSMT, and the Gateway of India. This route enhances connectivity with existing metro lines, monorail, and suburban rail networks, making it a crucial link for commuters.

Nearly 70% of the corridor will be underground, a strategic decision driven by South Mumbai’s dense urban landscape and the need to minimise land acquisition issues. The corridor will connect key residential and business districts, including major south Mumbai landmarks such as Flora Fountain, Crawford Market, and Fort.

Alongside the new underground route, the state government has also approved a 29-km circular metro line in Thane, which will bolster regional connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Other infrastructure projects in the pipeline include expansions of the Pune and Nagpur metro networks, as well as a 25-km elevated road connecting Thane to Navi Mumbai International Airport, aimed at reducing travel times and enhancing regional transport.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is advancing construction on several other metro corridors—Lines 2A, 2B, 5, and 9—with a combined length of over 70 kilometres, slated for completion by the end of 2025. Together, these projects will significantly ease traffic congestion and improve urban mobility for millions of Mumbai’s residents.

The new Metro Line-11 is expected to handle an estimated daily ridership of up to 9 lakh passengers, revolutionising commute times between central and southern Mumbai and providing seamless integration with existing transport modes.

Funding for Metro Line-11 includes support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with the Maharashtra state government also seeking financial assistance from the central government. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) will be responsible for designing, constructing, and operating the project.