Maharashtra Approves Metro Line 8 Linking Mumbai And Navi Mumbai Airports; CIDCO Advances Expansion Plans

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has received a green signal from the Maharashtra Government to implement Metro Line 8 connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been completed, and it will be executed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis, confirmed a senior official from CIDCO.

In addition, Metro Lines 2, 3, and 4 have been consolidated into a single corridor now referred to as Metro Line 2, which will stretch from Pendhar to the eastern side of NMIA across a distance of 16 kilometers. “The DPR for this route is currently in progress. CIDCO has also initiated DPRs for two new metro lines under the NAINA (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area) to address future transport needs of the emerging urban zones around NMIA,” the officer added.

CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Shri Vijay Singhal said, "The Navi Mumbai Metro project is central to our vision for sustainable urban growth. Line 1 has already seen excellent commuter response, and future expansions including Line 2 and Line 8 will greatly improve accessibility and airport connectivity."

Metro Line 8 will span 35 kilometers, with 9.25 kilometers of underground stretch and 25.63 kilometers elevated. The route will begin at CSMIA Terminal 2 in Mumbai, travel underground up to Chedanagar, and then continue as an elevated line until NMIA. The alignment will pass through key urban locations including Kurla, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Mankhurd, Vashi, Nerul, and Belapur.

The corridor is designed to enhance inter-airport connectivity, ease road congestion, reduce travel time for passengers with connecting flights, and cater to growing domestic and international passenger traffic.

The first operational phase of Navi Mumbai Metro, Line 1, was inaugurated in November 2023, connecting CBD Belapur to Pendhar over 11.1 kilometers. Operated by Maha Metro, this line is a commuting option for residents of CBD Belapur, Kharghar, Taloja, and adjoining areas. CIDCO is now extending this line by 3.02 kilometers (Line 1A) from Belapur to NMIA, integrating it with Line 8 at Sagar Sangam Interchange Station opposite NMMC Headquarters.

To ensure seamless operations, CIDCO has established a state-of-the-art Operations Control Centre (OCC) for Metro Line 1. The OCC manages real-time train movement, coordinates with field teams, and ensures safety and punctuality of services. Additionally, CIDCO has installed a metro train driving simulator, a sophisticated computer-based training system that helps drivers familiarize themselves with real train dynamics and safety protocols.

To improve efficiency and streamline execution, CIDCO has merged the originally planned Metro Lines 2, 3, and 4 into a single Metro Line 2. This 16-kilometer corridor from Pendhar to NMIA (east) will provide a direct connection to the PMAY housing clusters, Taloja MIDC, and other high-density urban settlements. The corridor is expected to boost ridership and improve connectivity for daily commuters and workers in the industrial belt. “The DPR for this integrated line is currently being prepared and will lay the groundwork for the next phase of development,” the officer added.

Recognizing the growing importance of the NAINA region, CIDCO has initiated DPRs for two dedicated metro lines to serve this zone. These lines will support transport for planned industrial, residential, and institutional developments around the airport influence area.