August 19, 2025: Mumbai’s expanding metro network is set for a major boost with Metro Line 14, the proposed Magenta Line connecting Kanjurmarg in eastern Mumbai to Badlapur in Thane district. Spanning an estimated 38–45 km, the line is designed as a mix of underground, elevated, and at-grade sections. The corridor will run underground from Kanjurmarg to Ghansoli before rising on elevated tracks towards Badlapur.
According to the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR), which has also undergone peer review by IIT Bombay, construction is expected to begin within a year. The project, estimated to cost between Rs 3,500 crore and Rs 18,000 crore, will be developed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The tentative list of stations includes Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli, LBS Marg, Chikoli, Shil Phata, Mahape, Ghansoli, Airoli, Turbhe, Digha, Ambernath, and Badlapur. Planned interchanges will connect the Magenta Line to Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Thane), Metro Line 6 (Jogeshwari–Vikhroli–Kanjurmarg), as well as Kanjurmarg’s suburban railway station.
Once operational, Metro Line 14 is expected to drastically cut travel times. The current 1.5–2 hour road journey between Badlapur and Kanjurmarg could be reduced to under an hour, transforming commutes for thousands of daily travellers. Authorities project an average ridership of seven lakh passengers per day.
However, some approvals remain pending. Environmental clearance is awaited, as sections of the alignment run near ecologically sensitive zones including Parsik Hills and the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. In addition, details on train operations, ticketing, and fare structures are yet to be finalised.
Despite these challenges, urban planners see Metro Line 14 as a crucial step towards improving regional connectivity and supporting transit-oriented development hubs across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Source: News 18
