Mumbai Metro's Orange Line 12 Construction begins

In a significant development, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde marked the commencement of construction for Mumbai Metro's long-awaited Orange Line 12, connecting Kalyan to Taloja. Scheduled to extend as a southern branch of Line 5, this ambitious project aims to alleviate Mumbai's congestion issues by redirecting population growth towards its peripheries. The Orange Line 12, estimated at ?5,865 crore, will span 22.17 kilometers, featuring 19 elevated stations including key points like APMC Kalyan, Dombivli MIDC, and Taloja. With tenders already floated for nine stations, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) envisions a swift completion by December 2027. Anticipating a surge in commuters, MMRDA projects an initial ridership of 1.25 lakhs in the first year, escalating to over 2.6 lakhs by 2031. This move not only aims to ease congestion but also fosters growth in the peripheral regions, catalyzing economic development. The inauguration, held on March 3, 2024, signifies a pivotal step towards Mumbai's metro expansion, promising enhanced connectivity and urban mobility. With Line 12 extending further to Navi Mumbai, this project is poised to redefine the city's transit landscape, ushering in a new era of accessibility and progress.