If all progresses as planned, the ambitious Metro Line 14 project—intended to connect Kanjurmarg and Badlapur—may be developed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Senior officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have indicated that construction is likely to commence within a year. The proposed 39-km corridor is expected to significantly cut road travel time for commuters by approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The MMRDA has projected a daily ridership of nearly seven lakh passengers once operational.

The draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Magenta Line 14, stretching between Kanjurmarg and Badlapur, has already been submitted by Milan Metro.

With tenders likely to be floated soon and preliminary work anticipated to begin shortly, the MMRDA is reportedly drawing inspiration from Milan’s metro system, which primarily consists of underground tracks. In a similar fashion, the Magenta Line is planned to run underground from Kanjurmarg to Ghansoli, after which it will transition to elevated tracks up to Badlapur.

Beyond enhancing travel convenience, the upcoming line is also expected to ease congestion on roads that frequently suffer from prolonged traffic jams, especially during peak office hours.

However, the project still requires environmental and forest clearances, as the planned alignment runs close to the ecologically sensitive Parsik Hills and the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.

A source familiar with the matter mentioned that the MMRDA had previously encountered challenges in implementing a metro project through a PPP model. Therefore, the authority would likely make a final decision on the funding model only after a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects.