Two New Metro Lines to Be Operational in February; First Phases of Metro 2B and Metro 9 to Be Inaugurated Together

Mumbai:
Mumbai’s expanding metro network is set to receive a major boost in February, with the first phases of Metro Line 2B and Metro Line 9 likely to be inaugurated on the same day. The Diamond Garden–Mandale section of Andheri West–Mandale (Mankhurd) Metro 2B and the Dahisar–Kashigaon section of Dahisar–Mira Road Metro 9 are expected to enter passenger service in the first half of next month.

Mumbai currently has four operational metro corridors, and the addition of these two routes will significantly enhance east–west and north–south connectivity in the city and its metropolitan region.

Safety Clearances Open the Way

The Mandale–Diamond Garden stretch of Metro 2B has already received provisional safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), while the Dahisar–Kashigaon stretch of Metro 9 received its safety certificate on Monday. With both corridors now cleared, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated preparations to launch both services simultaneously.

According to senior MMRDA officials, the two metro sections are likely to be commissioned during the first or second week of February.

Long-Awaited Relief for Suburbs and Mira Road

Once operational, the new metro routes will fulfil the long-standing commuting aspirations of residents of Mankhurd, eastern suburbs, and Mira Road.

• Metro 2B (Diamond Garden–Mandale) is a 5.3 km corridor and will become the first metro line in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs and the fifth operational metro line in the city.

• Metro 9 (Dahisar–Kashigaon) spans 4.5 km and will become Mumbai’s sixth metro line and the first metro corridor in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

These routes will drastically reduce travel time and ease congestion on arterial roads.

Delayed but Back on Track

The inauguration of the Metro 2B first phase was initially expected earlier but was delayed due to technical issues and later because of the Model Code of Conduct for municipal elections. With these hurdles now cleared, MMRDA officials confirmed that preparations are underway for a February launch.

There was speculation about a January 26 inauguration, but officials clarified that the ceremony is unlikely on that date as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee are returning from the Davos visit only on January 24. Additionally, the metro inauguration is expected to take place after the completion of Mumbai’s mayoral election process.

Boost to Mumbai’s Metro Network

• Metro 2B will enable commuters to travel between Mandale and Diamond Garden within minutes, greatly benefiting eastern suburbs.

• Metro 9 will provide fast, seamless connectivity between Dahisar and Kashigaon, offering major relief to Mira Road commuters.

If both lines are launched together, it will mark a historic milestone in Mumbai’s metro expansion, strengthening public transport integration across the city and its suburbs.