Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the trial run of Metro Line 9 on Wednesday, May 14. The event took place at the newly built Kashigaon Metro station in Mira Road, Thane district.
He said that Metro Line 9 will be extended up to Virar. Plans are also in place to stretch it further to Vadhvan Port in Palghar. This will help connect Mumbai with more distant areas.
Fadnavis said the state is working on linking the port with the metro line. A bullet train station is also located near the port.
He also said technical testing for this phase of Metro Line 9 has already started. The route will help reduce traffic and give better access along the Western Express Highway. This is the first time a double-decker structure has been built in the MMR. It carries both the metro and vehicle flyovers on the same viaduct.
This new setup is expected to benefit the Mira-Bhayandar region. Fadnavis said the government plans to finish 50 kilometres of Metro this year. Next year, 62 kilometres will be added. Another 60 kilometres will be completed the year after.
Red Line 7 is being extended too. It will now run from Andheri-Dahisar to Mira-Bhayandar. In the first phase, the Metro will connect Andheri (Western Express Highway) to Kashimira. In the second phase, it will reach Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium in Bhayandar West.
The new extension will give Thane, Palghar, and Raigad better Metro access. Fadnavis said the government wants the Metro network to cover 337 kilometres. The target is to add 50 to 60 kilometres each year. He said this will help reduce road traffic and pollution. The aim is to provide full Metro connectivity with last-mile access.