Construction on a section of Mumbai Metro Line 7A, the 3.4-km extension linking Andheri East with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, has been delayed by a height-clearance issue involving the Overhead Electrification (OHE) system required to operate the line.

The issue affects the elevated corridor near Airport Colony station in Vile Parle East. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has said the OHE requires around 2.5 metres of additional height beyond the limit permitted under applicable aviation restrictions. The discrepancy was identified in 2025, after substantial civil work on the affected stretch had been completed.

MMRDA has held its General Consultant, the SYSTRA-CEG-SMCIPL consortium, responsible for coordinating the design and statutory requirements, including aviation-related restrictions. The authority has said the OHE height requirement was not adequately incorporated into the design and planning at the appropriate stage. SYSTRA has disputed responsibility for the issue.

The matter is pending with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which is conducting the final technical assessment of the permissible height. MMRDA has said it will carry out a detailed technical review after receiving the report and decide the way forward.

The consequences for the project could be significant. MMRDA data cited in reports showed that the viaduct in the affected section had been completed and about 95 per cent of the elevated ramp had been constructed by February 2026. If the additional height is not approved and no technical modification is possible, part of the elevated structure may have to be reconstructed. Line 7A is planned to connect with underground Metro Line 3 at the airport, creating a direct metro link between the northern suburbs and the airport.