Mumbai Metro corridors marked with 2,500 painted pillars as per decided colour codes

In an ambitious move to redefine urban navigation and strengthen the visual identity of Mumbai’s Metro corridors, over 2,500 pillars have been painted with colour-coded themes by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The initiative has been carried out across seven Metro corridors, including 2B, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7A, and 9.

Each pillar has been matched to the designated colour of its respective Metro line to help commuters identify routes with greater ease. As of now, 623 of the 653 pillars on Line 2B (D N Nagar–Mandale) have been painted. On Lines 4 and 4A (Wadala–Gaimukh), 841 of 1,023 pillars have been completed. Line 5 (Thane–Kalyan via Bhiwandi) has seen 430 of 488 pillars finished, while on Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar–Vikhroli), 288 of 422 have been painted. Work on Line 9 (Dahisar East–Mira Bhayandar) has resulted in 328 of 354 pillars completed. All 22 pillars along Line 7A (Andheri East–CSMIA) have been fully painted.

According to MMRDA officials, this visual enhancement is part of a broader vision to improve the commuter experience and prepare for upcoming Metro operations. The painted pillars are expected to supplement both signage and digital information systems at Metro stations. Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee stated that the project was being implemented in phases and had involved seamless coordination among several contractors. It was conveyed that the remaining pillars would be completed post-monsoon. He remarked that the visual differentiation provided by the coloured pillars would simplify route recognition and elevate the city's overall aesthetics.

Residents have been urged to refrain from defacing the structures and to contribute to maintaining their cleanliness and visibility. In a public appeal, MMRDA emphasised that the Metro system symbolised Mumbai’s collective progress and identity, and preserving its integrity was a shared civic duty. The project has been viewed by transport planners as a strategic step in integrating user-friendly design with urban infrastructure development, further aligning Mumbai’s transit network with global standards of efficiency and clarity.