Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, May 14: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday flagged off the trial run and technical inspection of Phase 1 of Mumbai Metro Line 9, marking a key milestone in the city’s expanding metro network. The event took place at the Dahisar East station, with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar also in attendance.
Phase 1 of Metro Line 9, also known as the Red Line, spans 13.5 km and currently connects four stations — Dahisar, Pandurang Wadi, Miragaon, and Kashigaon. The line, being constructed in two phases by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), aims to improve connectivity between Mira-Bhayandar and the rest of Mumbai.
Speaking after the inspection, Fadnavis highlighted the project’s significance: “This line will be extremely helpful for people in Mira-Bhayandar and those commuting to Mumbai for work. Our goal is to ensure smooth connectivity across the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region.”
He also unveiled a first-of-its-kind innovation in the MMR — a double-decker bridge built with a Metro line and a flyover on the same pillar. “This structural design will significantly reduce traffic congestion,” said Fadnavis.
Metro Line 9 is an extension of Line 7 (Andheri East to Dahisar East) and will eventually integrate with Line 2A (Dahisar to D N Nagar), enabling direct Metro travel from Mira-Bhayandar to Andheri. The second phase of the project will extend the service to Bhayandar West, terminating at Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium station.
According to MMRDA officials, trial runs will continue in the coming weeks, with a comprehensive technical review to assess safety systems, signalling, rolling stock performance, and other operational factors.
While the entire line was originally slated for completion by October 2024, delays have pushed back the timeline. However, CM Fadnavis confirmed a renewed push to complete all Metro projects across the region by 2027. “We are fast-tracking all Metro infrastructure to ensure the region’s seamless connectivity,” he stated.