Mumbai Metro - Plan

Plan

The main objective of the Mumbai Metro is to provide mass rapid transit services to people within an approach distance of between 1 and 2 kilometres, and to serve the areas not connected by the existing Suburban Rail network. The Mumbai Metro is to be built in three phases, at a total cost of 36,000 crore (US$6.55 billion). The eight lines of the system are projected to have a total length of approximately 146 kilometres (91 mi).

In 2011, the MMRDA unveiled plans for an extended Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ metro line. According to its earlier plans, a 20-km Colaba-to-Bandra metro line was to be constructed, running underground for 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Colaba to Mahalaxmi, and then on an elevated track from Mahalaxmi to Bandra. However, the MMRDA decided that extending the line through Bandra to the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport would increase the number of commuters. The 33.5-kilometre (20.8 mi) Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ line will be built at a cost of 21,000 crore (US$3.82 billion), and will be India's first fully underground metro line. It will connect business districts such as Nariman Point, BKC, MIDC and SEEPZ with the International Airport. The line is planned to have a total of 27 stations.

On 27 February 2012, India's central government gave in-principle approval to the plan for Line 3. According to the plan, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will cover 50% of the project's debt, while the state government will have an equity stake of 16%, and central government taking 14% equity. The rest will be subordinate debt from other sources. In April 2012, the MMRDA announced plans to grant the Mumbai Metro Rail Company increased management autonomy, in an effort to enhance the project's operational efficiency.