MAHARASHTRA (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra government has proposed a new Metro line linking Thane, Kalwa, Mumbra, and Diva to improve public transport in these rapidly growing areas. Maha Metro will conduct a feasibility study and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in six months. This new line will also connect with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor and Metro Line 12.
State approves metro proposal in principle
According to the Hindustan Times Report, The proposal was discussed at a meeting led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai on Monday. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, MP Naresh Mhaske, MLAs Ravindra Phatak, Madhavi Naik, and Niranjan Davkhare, along with Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao and Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar, attended the meeting. Shinde gave tentative approval to the proposal and instructed Maha Metro to submit the DPR within six months. An agency has already been chosen to carry out the feasibility study and prepare the DPR. The final project cost, route, and construction timeline will depend on the DPR.
Proposed metro to link Thane, Dive and Mumbra
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The proposed line will connect several tightly populated areas that currently rely heavily on suburban trains and road transport. The route is expected to cover:
- Thane
- Kalwa
- Mumbra
- Diva
- Kolbad
- Old Thane
The corridor will be partly underground and partly elevated. The final route will be determined during the DPR process. Maha Metro MD Shravan Hardikar noted that acquiring land and completing other necessary steps may be simpler than in some other Metro projects, as the proposed route has enough open land.
Link with Bullet Train Corridor and Metro Line 12
A key feature of this proposal is its planned integration with other major transport projects. The Thane-Diva Metro will connect with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor at Mhatardi in Diva. This connection could provide passengers arriving from Gujarat with added access to Thane and nearby areas. The corridor will also link with Metro Line 12 at Manpada. This planned integration would establish a broader Metro network connecting:
Thane – Diva – Dombivli – Taloja – Kalyan – Bhiwandi – Thane
This connection could offer commuters an alternative to the crowded suburban railway system.
Around 3 lakh residents expected to benefit
MLA Niranjan Davkhare mentioned that Kalwa, Mumbra, and Diva have expanded quickly but were not included in the original Metro plans. He stated the proposed corridor could benefit nearly three lakh residents. The new line could also ease pressure on suburban trains and roads. These areas currently experience heavy passenger movement, especially during peak hours. The proposal also aims to enhance connectivity while reducing the need for commuters to make long road or rail transfers.
Maha Metro will now complete the feasibility assessment and prepare the DPR. This report will determine the final route, construction method, project cost, and implementation schedule.
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