MMR metro crosses 100-km mark, becomes 2nd largest after Delhi NCR; first phase of lines 9 and 2B to start on Wednesday

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region's operational metro network crossed the 100-km milestone on Tuesday, overtaking Bengaluru's 96-km system to become the country's second-largest after Delhi NCR, with Thane district getting its first metro corridor through Line 9 (Dahisar–Kashigaon) and Mumbai's eastern suburbs entering the metro map with the opening of the first stretch of Line 2B (Mandale to Diamond Garden).Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar inaugurated Phase I of Metro Line 9 and the first section of Metro Line 2B. Both stretches will be opened to public on Wednesday, April 8. Fadnavis said that with the existing 10-km Navi Mumbai Metro corridor developed by Cidco, the total operational metro length in the MMR has now crossed 101 km.In comparison, the Delhi-NCR region currently accounts for around 416 km of metro network with 303 stations, while Kolkata has 74 km.The 4.4-km Metro 9 stretch marks the first-ever metro corridor in Thane district, bringing Mira-Bhayander formally onto the metro network. The initial Metro 2B section, meanwhile, is the first metro to reach the eastern suburbs and harbour belt, significantly improving connectivity in east Mumbai.Fadnavis said several metro projects are now progressing at 80-96% completion, and the network is expected to expand rapidly over the next few years.Once the full 337-km metro network is commissioned, the MMR is likely to have one of the longest operational metro systems in the world.The Rs 6,500-crore Metro Line 9 project is being executed in two phases. The second 4.3-km phase from Sai Baba Nagar to Subhash Chandra Bose Nagar, also with four stations, is being fast-tracked for commissioning later this year.The metro expansion has also led to a major operational rejig on the western corridor, with Metro 7 integrated with the new Line 9 to offer direct Gundavali–Dahisar–Kashigaon connectivity, while Metro 2A becomes a standalone Andheri West–Dahisar East service. Commuters travelling from Andheri West towards Gundavali or Kashigaon will now have to interchange at Dahisar, though the transfer will remain within the paid concourse.On Metro Line 2B, officials said the Mandale–Diamond Garden section will significantly strengthen east Mumbai connectivity.The next 6-km stretch between DN Nagar and Saraswati Colony in Khar, followed by the 11-km Saraswati Colony–Chembur section, is expected to become operational in 2027-28.Fadnavis said Mumbai is steadily building an accessible, convenient and seamless public transport ecosystem, with feeder buses and last-mile connectivity options planned around stations.Shinde said that once the second phase of Line 9 up to Subhash Chandra Bose Nagar is commissioned, the corridor will seamlessly integrate with Metro Lines 7 and 7A for airport access. Future interchange with Metro Line 3 will enable direct travel up to Colaba, while the proposed Wadala–Gaimukh corridor will eventually link to Bhayandar and further widen suburban mobility.