In a significant boost to Mumbai’s expanding metro network, the Maharashtra Government has released new instalments of interest-free soft loans for nine metro corridors across the city. Government Resolutions (GRs) issued on 26 November allocate funds to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to cover central and state taxes, local levies and land acquisition costs linked to each project.

The largest tranche has been allotted to Metro Line 2B (DN Nagar–Mandale), which receives Rs 1.128 billion, taking cumulative disbursements to Rs 7.268 billion. Metro Line 5 (Thane–Kalyan–Bhiwandi) has been allocated Rs 523.86 million for FY 2025–26, bringing total assistance to Rs 2.77386 billion.

Metro Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar–Jogeshwari–Vikhroli) receives Rs 329.5 million, increasing cumulative support to Rs 3.67952 billion. Metro Line 2A (Dahisar–DN Nagar) receives Rs 287.9 million, pushing total assistance to Rs 5.23807 billion out of the sanctioned Rs 7.575 billion.

Substantial allocations have also been released for other corridors:

Rs 917.2 million for Lines 4 and 4A (Wadala–Kasarvadavali and Kasarvadavali–Gaimukh).

Rs 496.3 million for Line 7 (Andheri East–Dahisar East), taking its tally to Rs 5.31192 billion.

Rs 667.1 million for Lines 9 and 7A (Dahisar–Mira Bhayandar and Andheri–CSMIA extensions).

Rs 861.4 million for Line 10 (Gaimukh–Shivaji Chowk, Mira Road).

Rs 10.89 million for Line 12 (Kalyan–Taloja).

According to the Finance Department, repayment of these secondary soft loans will begin only after the principal borrowed from the Asian Development Bank and New Development Bank is cleared—currently expected in February 2044—and repayment will occur in a single instalment.

The government has reiterated that these soft loans are strictly intended to meet tax and land acquisition liabilities, with reimbursement to the state commencing only once external loans tied to the metro lines are fully repaid. No penalty charges will apply. MMRDA must also maintain separate accounts for every expenditure category and provide detailed utilisation reports.