Mumbai: Government Approves Construction Of Underground Route For Metro Line-5, Work On Phase-2 To Commence Soon

In a significant step to facilitate smooth construction of the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro corridor, the Maharashtra government’s Urban Development Department (UDD) has given the go-ahead to make the 3-km route between Dhamankar Naka and Temghar an underground stretch instead of an elevated one.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had temporarily halted the construction of the 11.8 km section between Dhamankar Naka and Temghar, which is part of Phase 2 of the Metro Line-5 project.

The original plan for an elevated line raised concerns about the potential impact on numerous commercial establishments and households along the route.

However, with this decision, the metro project will avoid these displacements and rehabilitations, allowing to proceed with the second phase of the corridor.

The proposal was approved by the UDD with conditions that it should put no additional financial burden on the state government, provide a detailed project report of the underground portion and get it approved by the administration.

“Now, with the approval to carry out the work on the underground portion, we will appoint a consultant. The consultant will be responsible for doing the job for both elevated and underground stretches and accordingly, tenders will be called for giving the work order,” the official stated.

Mumbai Metro Line-5

Officials have stated that 70 per cent of work had been completed on the first phase spanning 12.7 km between Thane and Bhiwandi, which will have a total of six fully upgraded stations. 

The Metro line-5 project is 24.9 km long corridor with a projected cost Rs 8,416 crore. The line will have interconnectivity with other lines of the Mumbai metro network.

This includes interconnection with the under-construction Metro line-4 between Wadala and Kasarvadavli, the proposed Metro line-12 between Kalyan and Taloja, and additionally with the existing central railway network.

This development aims to provide metro connectivity to Thane regions, with improving accessibility to the commercial, government bodies and geographical landmarks in Thane, Bhiwandi and Kalyan.

The total length of this extension corridor will span 7.7 km, which will be developed in two phases.