Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to designate 2027 as the Metro Year by clearing pending works and completing at least 70 km of metro routes by next year. He also asked agencies to raise their target for completing metro lines by December 2026 from 36 km to 50 km.

Fadnavis issued the directions during a Chief Minister’s War Room meeting to review infrastructure projects across the state. He said at least 50 per cent of project work should rely on mechanisation to ensure that infrastructure projects are completed within stipulated timelines and to address labour shortages while maintaining the availability of skilled workers.

For Metro Line 2B, connecting D.N. Nagar with Chembur, the Chief Minister directed officials to plan a special 12-hour road block on Sundays whenever necessary for girder installation near Juhu Circle. Further road blocks should be decided after assessing progress, with steps taken to minimise inconvenience to citizens. He also directed officials to complete and open the Sewri-Worli Elevated Corridor connection before May 31, 2027.

The meeting also examined traffic and utility management. Fadnavis called for technology-driven solutions at Vakola Junction and interventions at congestion hotspots on the Western Express Highway. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies were instructed to maintain updated maps of underground utility networks and create an accessible system for use during infrastructure works.

At construction sites, agencies must install guidance boards, barricades and other safety measures for citizens and workers. Fadnavis also proposed an independent safety management company with a low-cost business model. Reviewing the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Water Supply Scheme, he directed agencies to ensure every household receives a tap connection while avoiding repeated road excavation. Contractors delaying projects beyond deadlines could face blacklisting, while legal and land possession issues affecting Metro Line 6 were ordered to be expedited.