The Thane-Bhiwandi Metro Line-5, initially scheduled for completion in March 2022, has been delayed, with a revised deadline now set for March 31, 2025. This three-year delay has raised concerns about project management efficiency within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The contract for the 24.90 km-long elevated metro corridor was awarded to Afcons Infrastructure on September 1, 2019. Designed to enhance connectivity between Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan, the metro line will consist of 15 stations along its route. Despite the delay, the estimated project cost remains unchanged at Rs 8.98 billion. However, the penalty imposed for the delay is ?20.88 lakh, a figure considered minimal compared to the scale and impact of the extended timeline. Once completed, Metro Line-5 is expected to play a crucial role in improving public transportation in the region. It will integrate with Metro Line-4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali), the proposed Metro Line-12 (Kalyan-Taloja), and the Central Railway network, thereby offering seamless connectivity for commuters. The improved infrastructure is projected to reduce travel time by 50 to 75 per cent, benefiting both commercial and government employees who regularly commute along these corridors. The delay is a setback for Mumbai’s metro expansion efforts, which aim to alleviate traffic congestion and promote the use of public transportation. The revised timeline has led to increased demands for stricter oversight and enhanced accountability to ensure timely execution of such critical infrastructure projects. With the new deadline set for 2025, residents and commuters in the affected areas anticipate that the metro line will be completed as planned, significantly improving the region’s transportation network. News source: Urban Acres