Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete all metro rail projects within three years of construction beginning, as the state moves ahead with expanding its urban transportation network. The directive was issued during a meeting of the state cabinet’s Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday.
Fadnavis said the expansion of metro networks across Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) would improve connectivity while promoting safe, efficient and environment-friendly public transport systems to support growing urban areas.
According to an official statement, Maharashtra currently has 174 km of operational metro corridors, while 291 km of routes are under construction. Around 130 km of additional metro lines are awaiting approvals, while detailed project reports are being prepared for another 87.15 km of corridors.
The state government aims to make more than 300 km of new metro routes operational by 2029-30. Once completed, the combined operational and planned metro network will expand to 683.53 km, including 428.89 km in the MMR, 169.45 km in the Pune Metropolitan Region and 85.20 km in the Nagpur Metropolitan Region.
Metro projects with an estimated investment of Rs 2.81 lakh crore are currently under various stages of execution. The Centre will contribute Rs 27,216 crore, while the Maharashtra government’s direct contribution will stand at Rs 50,250 crore. A further Rs 75,729.62 crore will be raised through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), local bodies and planning agencies, with the remaining funding expected through government-backed borrowings.
As per the implementation roadmap, 87 km of metro lines along with 56 stations are expected to be completed this year. By 2029-30, another 302 km of metro corridors and 161 stations are planned to become operational.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed Metro Line-10 between Mira Gaon and Gaimukh in the MMR. The 9.68-km elevated corridor, featuring five stations and estimated to cost Rs 8,500 crore, is currently awaiting final statutory approvals. Fadnavis instructed officials to complete the project within three years.
The government also assessed the progress of several upcoming projects, including Metro Line-11 between Anik Depot and Gateway of India, Metro Line-8 connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports, Metro Line-13 between Shivaji Chowk and Vasai Virar, Metro Line-14 from Kanjur to Badlapur, Metro Line-12A, the Metro Line-3 extension to Navy Nagar, Pune Metro Phase-III, Navi Mumbai Metro extensions and Nagpur Metro Phase-II.
Source: ET Infra
