June 16, 2025: Mumbai’s metro expansion took a decisive leap forward as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) completed a critical engineering feat on Metro Line 9. A 65-metre-long, 700-tonne composite steel girder was successfully installed near the Bhayandar West Road Over Bridge—an essential span connecting elevated viaducts across congested urban zones and active railway corridors.
The complex operation, executed over three nights on 7, 8, and 11 June 2025, involved meticulous coordination between MMRDA, Western Railway, Konkan Railway, and traffic authorities. Three girder segments, each weighing over 235 tonnes, were precisely placed using high-capacity cranes rated at 600 and 750 metric tonnes. An additional crane was kept on standby to ensure safety and contingency. The completion of the task without disruption to rail services underscores the team’s technical expertise and rigorous planning.
Metro Line 9, extending 10.54 kilometres from Dahisar East to Mira-Bhayandar, includes Mumbai’s first double-decker structure—housing a metro viaduct above a vehicular flyover. With eight elevated stations and seamless links to commuter hubs, the corridor is now 95% complete. Trial runs are already underway on the 4.4-kilometre Phase I section between Dahisar East and Kashigaon, with commissioning expected by December 2025.
Strategically integrated with Metro Lines 7, 7A, 1, and 2B, Line 9 will enhance access to key destinations including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Ghatkopar, and Andheri West. Planned extensions via Lines 10 and 13 will further connect Thane and Vasai-Virar.
Beyond infrastructure, Line 9 aligns with Mumbai’s broader goals of sustainable, inclusive mobility. Designed to reduce road congestion and emissions, it paves the way for a net-zero future, offering safe, efficient, and accessible transit for millions. The successful girder installation sets the tone for timely completion and a resilient urban transport vision.
Source: Urban Acres
