Trial Run This Week for Thane’s First Metro Line

15 May 2025 CW Team

Thane district’s first-ever Metro rail line—Mumbai Metro Red Line 9—is poised for its trial run this week, marking a key milestone in regional connectivity. The overhead traction wires were energised on Saturday, clearing the way for dynamic testing between Dahisar and Kashigaon. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to flag off the inaugural run.

Metro Line 9 is an extension of Red Line 7, linking Andheri (Western Express Highway) to Bhayandar via Mira-Bhayandar. In its first phase, it will connect Andheri to Kashimira, with future expansion reaching Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium in Bhayandar (West).

The full corridor features eight stations—Dahisar, Pandurang Wadi, Miragaon, Kashigaon, Sai Baba Nagar, Meditiya Nagar, Shahid Bhagat Singh Garden, and Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium. The first phase, however, will see operations begin only up to Kashigaon.

Last week, MMRDA issued an advisory for residents along the corridor to remain cautious as it activated 25,000-volt overhead wires along a 4.973-kilometre stretch. With this energisation complete, Metro trains will now undergo full-scale dynamic testing, covering movement, signalling, communication systems, and safety protocols.

The Kashimira station is located approximately 1.4 km from Mira Road station on the Western Railway line, promising better multimodal integration.

Commenting on the developments, MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said: “Metro projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region faced delays due to land acquisition and implementation issues. We’ve worked to resolve these and are prioritising phased commissioning—activating completed stretches without waiting for the entire corridor. Metro Line 9’s upcoming trial reflects this commitment. It’s part of our broader vision of ‘Mumbai in Minutes’, aimed at fast, reliable, and sustainable public transport.”

Building Material

03 Dec 2025

Cement Makers Positive on H2 Demand Outlook

The leading cement producers have posted high single-digit volume growth and better sales realisation in the July–September quarter, setting a positive tone for the second half of FY26. Companies are upbeat on demand prospects, supported by a strong housing sector and continued government spending on major infrastructure projects. UltraTech, Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Dalmia Bharat and Nuvoco Vistas recorded revenue growth of up to 18 per cent in the September quarter. The rise was driven by firm realisations, softer input costs and an increased share of premium products. With coal price..

Odisha Targets Role as MSME Hub for Eastern India

Odisha has set its sights on becoming the MSME gateway of eastern India, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said at the Odisha Industrial Conclave 2025, organised by Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB). Calling the state a land of possibilities, he noted that Odisha has emerged as a leading destination for micro, small and medium enterprises.He said that reforms such as the Go-Swift single-window system now allow project approvals within a day. Odisha has also invested 6.1 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure development, which is expected to further accelerate industrial and MSME growth.Majhi emphasise..

Coal Ministry Eases Process for Exploration and GR Approvals

The Ministry of Coal has introduced a simplified approval mechanism for exploration programmes and Geological Reports (GRs) for coal and lignite blocks. The reform aims to accelerate exploration activity, reduce procedural delays and strengthen India’s preparedness for rising energy demand.Under the revised process, reports prepared by Notified Accredited Prospecting Agencies (APAs) and peer-reviewed by another accredited agency no longer require approval from the committee set up in January 2022. This marks a major shift towards faster, more transparent and technology-driven exploration.By ..