The Maharashtra government has approved the ₹17,724.99-crore Metro Line 13, a major infrastructure project that will connect Mira-Bhayandar with Vasai-Virar and strengthen public transport links across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The approval was granted by the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The 25.03-km corridor will be implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the rapidly growing residential and industrial areas of Thane and Palghar districts.
Metro Line 13 will connect Mira Road, Vasai, Naigaon, Nalasopara and Virar through a combination of elevated and underground sections.
The 25.03-km corridor will include:
The project will create a new mass-transit connection between Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar, areas that have witnessed rapid residential, commercial and industrial growth.
A key feature of Metro Line 13 will be a 4.92-km, six-lane integrated road-and-Metro bridge across Vasai Creek, with a link to Panju Island.
The bridge is expected to improve connectivity between the two sides of Vasai Creek while providing both road users and Metro passengers with a faster travel route.
The corridor will also connect with suburban railway stations at Naigaon, Nalasopara and Virar, allowing commuters to transfer between the Metro and local train networks.
An interchange with Metro Line 9 is proposed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium. Bus connectivity is also planned at all Metro 13 stations.
The Metro 13 project will require around 24.84 hectares of land. The estimated expenditure on land acquisition and rehabilitation is ₹2,715 crore.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete land acquisition and approach roads within six months.
MMRDA has also sought approval to be appointed as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for implementing Metro Line 13 along with the Vasai Creek bridge.
The state government expects Metro Line 13 to record daily ridership of around 4.49 lakh passengers by 2031.
The corridor is projected to reduce travel time by nearly 50% compared with road travel, providing a faster and more reliable alternative for commuters travelling between Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar.
The project is also expected to improve access to industrial and logistics hubs and strengthen connections between Mumbai's suburbs and the growing urban centres of the Vasai-Virar region.
Metro Line 13 is targeted for completion within five years after the necessary approvals are received.
The state government has also approved the ₹10,502.36-crore eastern extension of Pune's proposed Ring Road. The project is intended to divert inter-city and inter-state traffic away from Pune city and ease congestion on existing roads.
Together, the two approvals represent a ₹28,227-crore investment in transport infrastructure across Maharashtra.
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