The Maharashtra government has approved the proposal to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed metro corridor connecting Thane, Kalwa, Mumbra and Diva. Maha Metro has been appointed to conduct the feasibility study and prepare the DPR, with the agency given a six-month deadline to complete the process.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai on Monday, August 3. According to Maha Metro, the proposed corridor will improve connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by linking key suburban areas and integrating with existing and upcoming transport networks.
The proposed metro line is planned to connect with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor near Mhatardi in Diva, providing passengers access to the bullet train network towards Gujarat. The corridor will also connect with Metro Line-12, the Kalyan-Taloja Metro corridor, at Manpada.
The integration of these projects is expected to create a wider metro network connecting Thane, Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva, Dombivli, Taloja, Kalyan and Bhiwandi.
During the meeting, Shinde instructed Maha Metro officials to submit the DPR within six months. The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, MP Naresh Mhaske, MLAs Ravindra Phatak, Madhavi Naik and Niranjan Davkhare, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar and other senior officials.
According to reports, Davkhare highlighted that residents in these areas currently depend largely on overcrowded suburban trains, with many commuters facing difficult travel conditions daily. The proposed alignment through Kolbad and old Thane has been planned to improve connectivity while minimising inconvenience to residents.
The metro corridor is expected to reduce pressure on Mumbai’s suburban railway system and road network by providing an additional public transport option. Officials believe land acquisition challenges may be comparatively lower due to the availability of open land stretches along parts of the proposed route.
The final project cost, construction timeline and exact alignment will be determined after completion of the DPR. Once developed, the corridor will provide commuters from Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva and Dombivli with an alternative mode of transport and strengthen regional connectivity within the MMR.
Source: Mumbai Live
