The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ambitious Metro Line 8, often referred to as the Gold Line, is currently being prepared by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). This 34.9-kilometer corridor promises to revolutionise air travel connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by strategically connecting Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the soon-to-be Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
Estimated to cost around Rs 200 billion, the project will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Once completed, Metro Line 8 will become Mumbai’s second metro corridor executed through this model after Metro Line 1. CIDCO plans to float tenders after the DPR submission, with the bidding process expected to wrap up within this year. The metro line is targeted for commissioning by 2029.
The line will start underground at CSMIA Terminal 2, remain subterranean till Chheda Nagar, and then transition to an elevated track along the Sion-Panvel Highway, marking a shift from the original Palm Beach Road alignment. CIDCO’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Vijay Singhal, emphasised that the metro would pass through key transit hubs like Kurla and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), enhancing multimodal integration with suburban and long-distance rail networks.
Traversing major residential and commercial hubs including Mankhurd, Vashi, Nerul, and Belapur, Metro Line 8 will serve as a vital east-west transit link connecting both airports. It will also feature interchange stations with seven existing and proposed metro lines within the MMR, greatly improving commuting efficiency across the region.
With a projected daily ridership of 9 lakh, Metro Line 8 is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on busy corridors like the Eastern Express Highway and Sion-Panvel Highway. It will also provide a faster, more dependable option for air travellers moving between the two airports.
Singhal further highlighted that this project would accelerate economic growth across the MMR, contributing meaningfully to India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy. Once operational, Metro Line 8 will not only redefine urban mobility but also act as a catalyst for integrated, sustainable urban development in one of India’s fastest-growing regions.
Source: Construction World
