Mumbai: The Maharashtra cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure on Tuesday cleared the Metro Line 8 project to link Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Andheri and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).The 35km route will run 9km underground from Andheri to Eastern Express Highway at Ghatkopar, then transition to an elevated track along the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road until Mankhurd. It will have 20 stations, and will be connected to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and two other railway stations, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said.Metro Line 8 will form an intersection with three other Metro corridors enhancing connectivity between Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and the rest of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). “The project will be built through public private participation (PPP). Centre and state will provide equity of 20% each, and the rest willl be provided by the private enterprise. We will try to complete it in 3.5 years,” said Fadnavis. It will be the city’s second Metro corridor to be executed under the PPP model after the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro 1. It is projected to handle nearly 9 lakh passengers daily.Metro Line 8 seeks to enhance connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, reduce travel time, and accommodate the growing passenger demand at the city’s two international airports. In addition, Metro Line 8A is being planned to connect Belapur to Mankhurd, the endpoint of Metro Line 2B (Dahisar-Andheri-Kurla-Mandale). Metro Line 2B will also offer an interchange with Metro Line 4A, which links Wadala to Thane via the Eastern Express Highway, LBS Road, and Ghodbunder Road.Having direct connectivity between the two airports will boost the development in MMR and fulfill the goal of a $5 trillion economy, said Cidco officials.Cidco has outlined further plans to expand the Navi Mumbai Metro network, including an extension of the existing Line 1 to connect Belapur directly to NMIA. Additionally, Lines 2, 3, and 4 are proposed to link Taloja to NMIA, enhancing connectivity for residential and industrial hubs. Two new Metro routes are also being planned within the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area.With these developments, the total planned Metro network in Navi Mumbai and NAINA is expected to span 70km, ensuring efficient transit for passengers across the region.
