The Maharashtra government has approved Metro Line 12A, an 18.40-km elevated corridor connecting Manpada-Katai Naka to Taloja via Kalyan Phata. Valued at Rs 13,856.37 crore, the project has been given a three-and-a-half-year completion deadline and is expected to strengthen connectivity between Kalyan-Dombivli and Navi Mumbai.
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, cleared the proposal during a meeting at Mantralaya on Tuesday. Fadnavis instructed officials to adhere to the deadline and accelerate work on other ongoing metro projects across Maharashtra.
The approval comes amid delays affecting several Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) projects initiated in 2018. Fadnavis has previously urged the authority to designate 2027 as the ‘Year of Metro’ and expedite pending infrastructure work.
Route and key features
The proposed corridor will comprise 12 elevated stations and is intended to improve access between residential neighbourhoods, industrial zones and logistics centres. Officials estimate that the line could handle approximately 4.74 lakh passengers daily and reduce travel times by 40–50 per cent compared with road journeys.
The project also includes two integrated flyovers: a 6.93-km four-lane structure and an 8.69-km six-lane structure. These additions are expected to increase transport capacity and help ease congestion by separating certain longer-distance journeys from local traffic. Feeder bus services are planned at every station to improve last-mile connectivity.
Interchanges and planning approvals
Metro Line 12A will connect with other transport networks at several locations. Katai Naka is planned to provide links with Metro Line 12 and a bullet train connecting link, while the Katai Naka-Kalyan Phata stretch will offer an interchange with Metro Line 14. At Amandut, passengers will be able to connect with Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1.
The infrastructure committee has also designated MMRDA as the Special Planning Authority for the metro corridor and its integrated flyovers. It approved the transfer of government land within the project’s influence area to the authority.
These clearances will enable MMRDA to undertake planning and development activities and mobilise funds for the infrastructure project.
Source: Metro Rail News
