July 9, 2025: Mumbai’s Metro Line 1, the 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor, is facing intense overcrowding, leading the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to establish a high-level committee to assess the issue. This action comes after a technical failure on July 7, 2025, which halted a train at Azad Nagar for 45 minutes, creating stampede-like conditions at Andheri and Ghatkopar stations and highlighting the need for resilient urban transport infrastructure.
The committee, headed by former Chief Secretary Johny Joseph, will examine service disruptions and recommend improvements. With daily ridership exceeding five lakh, the four-coach trains operated by Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL)—a joint venture of Reliance Infrastructure (74%) and MMRDA (26%)—are under severe strain. Commuter Saniya Patel stated, “It’s scary during peak hours. There’s barely room to breathe. I worry for my safety every day.”
In response, MMOPL plans to introduce six-coach trains, consistent with the line’s original design. This could boost passenger capacity by 50%, pending funding approval from the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited. The operator also aims to restart short-loop services between Ghatkopar and Andheri, which cater to 88% of current riders, to reduce congestion during rush hours.
The corridor, which connects with Metro Lines 2A and 7, has seen ridership grow by 30,000 daily since 2023. Commuters like Dhaval Shah have expressed frustration over delays and packed platforms, while social media posts call for immediate upgrades to prevent potential accidents.
As MMRDA and MMOPL move toward actionable solutions, the initiative reflects Mumbai’s larger vision for sustainable and inclusive public transport. Addressing these issues could improve access, especially for women and low-income workers, while reinforcing the city’s push toward green mobility.
Source: Urban Acres
