Japan clears first tranche of 5,500cr loan for Wadala-Gateway Metro 11

Mumbai: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which delivers aid on behalf of the Japanese govt, has signed an agreement with the Indian govt to extend an official development assistance (ODA) loan of 92.4 billion yen (about Rs 5,500 crore) for phase 1 of Mumbai Metro line 11, which will run from Wadala to Gateway of India.The agreement was signed in Delhi between Alok Tiwari, joint secretary, department of economic affairs, Union finance ministry, and Takeuchi Takuro, chief representative of JICA India. The fully underground Metro 11 is estimated to cost Rs 23,487 crore. Officials said the JICA funding marks the first tranche of the loan. A senior MMRCL official said the project will cover 17.5km with 14 underground stations. "This will create a crucial east-south spine, linking the redeveloping port area with south Mumbai and improving access to Atal Setu on the city side." The project is slated for completion by Aug 2032. Invitations for consultancy services are likely to be issued in June and tenders for initial civil works packages for underground sections are expected by Sept.The CM had announced in the state budget that Metro 11 will be extended till Bandra terminus. The proposed 6.9km extension will include five stations—Chunabhatti, Sion, Central Dharavi, Bandra West and Bandra terminus—and is expected to significantly enhance cross-city connectivity while offering multiple interchanges with existing and upcoming Metro lines.