Mumbai’s urban mobility expansion has entered a crucial stage with construction beginning on two new metro corridors — Dahisar–Bhayandar and Mandala–Chembur — aimed at delivering faster, cleaner, and more sustainable travel options for the city’s growing population. The first phase of both routes is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) confirmed that technicians are being recruited on two-year contracts to manage electrical and mechanical maintenance. Tenders worth Rs 41.3 million have been floated to hire specialised manpower, ensuring seamless services once operations commence. Trial runs on both corridors have already been completed, keeping the expansion on schedule.

The Dahisar–Bhayandar line, part of Metro 9, will initially cover Dahisar East, Pandurangwadi, Miragaon, and Kashigaon. The Mandala–Chembur section of Metro 2B will serve Mandala Depot, Mankhurd, BSNL Telecom Factory, Shivaji Chowk, and Diamond Garden. Together, the two corridors will significantly improve suburban connectivity and help reduce road congestion in densely populated residential areas.

Transport planners highlight that the expansion is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it is a strategic step towards reducing Mumbai’s carbon footprint. With road traffic contributing heavily to pollution, shifting thousands of commuters daily to electric-powered metro services supports India’s climate commitments. Experts also note that wider metro access promotes social equity by ensuring affordable, reliable, and safe transport across demographics.

At the policy level, authorities have set an ambitious target of opening nearly 50 km of new metro lines annually in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. If achieved, this pace could position Mumbai as a national leader in eco-friendly urban mobility. In addition, the state government has cleared the underground Metro-11 line between Wadala Depot and Gateway of India, a 16 km corridor projected to cost Rs 240 billion, expected to secure financing support from a Japanese agency.

The recent power failure on the city’s monorail, which temporarily halted services, underscored the need for resilience in public transport systems. In response, tenders have been floated to procure 64 high-capacity batteries to strengthen backup supply.

For Mumbai, these new metro corridors represent more than just infrastructure. They symbolise a decisive shift towards sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready mobility. As the city’s population continues to grow, the success of these projects will play a pivotal role in shaping the blueprint for urban transport in the decades ahead.