Mumbai Metro Expansion Gets ₹36,000 Crore Boost With State-Backed Loan Guarantee

In a major push for urban mobility, the Maharashtra government has approved a loan guarantee for six critical Mumbai Metro corridors, enabling the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to secure international funding and accelerate construction timelines.

Key Highlights From The Cabinet Decision

- The six corridors include Metro Lines 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan), 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar–Vikhroli), 9 (Dahisar East–Mira Bhayandar), 10 (Gaimukh–Shivaji Chowk, Mira Road), 11 (Wadala–CSMT), and a 3.3-km underground extension of Line 7 to the international airport via Marol  
- Combined project cost exceeds ₹36,000 crore, with funding expected from multilateral agencies like AIIB and ADB  
- The state will act solely as guarantor; MMRDA will bear full repayment responsibility including interest and liabilities  

Strategic Impact And Connectivity Goals

- Metro Lines 5, 6, and 9 aim to decongest central and western suburbs  
- Lines 10 and 11 will enhance access in Mira-Bhayandar and south Mumbai  
- The Line 7 extension will provide a direct airport link from the western suburbs  
- These corridors are part of MMRDA’s vision to build a 300-km metro network by 2030  

Outlook

The loan guarantee ensures uninterrupted progress across elevated and underground sections, safeguarding against delays and cost overruns. Once operational, the corridors are expected to serve lakhs of commuters daily and significantly reduce road congestion.

Sources: Free Press Journal, Times of India, Urban Acres, Projx News, Loksatta Marathi News