Thane (Mumbai): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that India’s longest metro line, a 58-km stretch linking Thane with Mumbai, will be operational by December 2026.

The project, which includes Metro lines 4, 4A, 10, and 11, will connect Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs with the city centre and Thane.

Fadnavis said that 45 hectares of land at Mogharpada in Thane have been allocated to build depots for the network.

He made the announcement while inaugurating the technical inspection and trial run of Phase 1 of the Metro 4 priority section, connecting Gaimukh Junction, Gaimukh village, Ghodbunder Road, Kasarvadavli, and Vijay Garden.

Metro 4 runs 32 km from Wadala to Kasarvadavli, while Metro 4A adds a 2.88-km extension to Gaimukh, creating a combined corridor of 35 km with 32 stations. The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹16,000 crore.

“When all the metro lines of this metro are operational, more than 21 lakh passengers will travel in it daily. It will save 50 to 75 per cent of travel time, decongest roads, and provide citizens with safe, eco-friendly, and comfortable transportation. Efforts are being made to open all the metro lines (Metro 4, 4A, 10 and 11) for public use in phases by the end of next year.”

Deputy Chief Minister and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Chairman Eknath Shinde said the elevated 58-km line is the first such project in India and will play a crucial role in tackling Mumbai’s traffic challenges.

In a statement, MMRDA said the inspection reviewed whether systems were ready in line with the requirements of the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). The viaduct, tracks, and overhead equipment are fully complete, while data collection for load calculation, software configuration, and integration of safety systems has also been carried out.

The authority added that passenger safety remains its highest priority. An Independent Safety Assessor certification process will now follow, after which CMRS approval will be sought. Only once all statutory clearances are in place will the corridor be opened to the public. 

IANS