Mumbai’s Chembur Metro Station on Metro Line 2B has opened to passengers, creating a new interchange point between the Metro, suburban railway and Monorail networks in the eastern suburbs.
The station forms part of the Mandale-Chembur section of Metro Line 2B and is expected to make transfers between different modes of public transport more convenient for daily commuters.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) described the facility as “One station. Three networks.” The station is also connected to the nearby VNP and R.C. Marg Junction Monorail Station.
Mandale-Chembur section operational
The operational section currently covers Mandale, Deonar, Mankhurd, Diamond Garden, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chembur. The Chembur-DN Nagar section is yet to open.
Once the complete corridor becomes operational, Metro Line 2B will provide connectivity across areas including Mandale, Deonar, Mankhurd, Kurla, BKC, Chembur, Bandra and DN Nagar.
MMRDA estimates that the fully operational corridor could reduce travel times by 50-70 per cent and help ease road congestion and vehicular emissions. The completed line is also expected to connect with four Metro corridors, the Monorail and Central and Western Railway networks.
Access to key road corridors
The Chembur station provides access to several important roads, including the Eastern Express Highway, Sion-Panvel Highway, Dr C.G. Road, Eastern Freeway, Santacruz-Chembur Link Road and R.C. Marg.
The combination of road and public transport links is expected to improve connectivity across the eastern suburbs.
Passenger facilities
Commuters at the station can use QR-based ticketing and smart cards. Passenger facilities include escalators, elevators, CCTV surveillance, accessibility provisions and first-aid services.
The station has also incorporated sustainability measures. According to MMRDA, its design allows for 75 per cent natural daylight and uses LED lighting, with projected energy savings of up to 40 per cent. The station is rooftop-solar-ready and includes water-efficient systems.
With the Chembur station now operational, commuters in the eastern suburbs have an additional interchange option between three major public transport systems.
Source: The Financial Express
