Centre clears Mumbai Metro Line 5, 5A extension to Kalyan and Ulhasnagar

Mumbai’s long-delayed Metro Line 5 expansion towards Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar has moved ahead after the Centre approved the realigned corridor and its Line 5A extension on Saturday, August 29.

The approval clears the way for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to begin the tendering process for the remaining stretches. The revised alignment was drawn up after the original plan faced delays related to land acquisition, rehabilitation and conflicts with existing road infrastructure.

The first phase of Metro Line 5 between Thane and Bhiwandi is nearing completion and is scheduled to open in December, officials said. The 11.9-km section, costing Rs 6,741.34 crore, will run from Balkum in Thane to Dhamankar Nagar in Bhiwandi and will have six elevated stations.

The corridor will also provide an interchange with Metro Line 4, part of whose Thane stretch is expected to open in the current financial year.

The original Line 5 was planned as a 24.9-km Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan corridor. However, extensive resettlement and rehabilitation requirements delayed its second phase, while a conflict with the Bhiwandi Bypass Flyover also led to changes in the alignment.

Under the revised plan, the second phase of Line 5 will cover 10.48 km between Bhiwandi and Durgadi in Kalyan at an estimated cost of Rs 7,326 crore. A short section around Bhiwandi will be underground.

Line 5A will extend the network by another 11.83 km at an estimated cost of Rs 4,063 crore, taking connectivity towards Kalyan and Ulhasnagar. The extended network will provide an interchange with Metro Line 12 towards Navi Mumbai.

The full extended network is targeted for completion in 2030-31. The planned stations include Kapurbawdi, Balkum, Kasheli, Kalher, Purna, Anjur Phata, Dhamankar Naka, Bhiwandi, Temghar, Rajnouli, Govegaon, Kongaon West and Kongaon East on Line 5.

Line 5A and its spur will have stations including Durgadi, Khadakpada, Bhoirwadi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Path, Kalyan, Shanti Nagar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk and Ulhasnagar.

The project is expected to provide an alternative to an already strained road and public transport network serving the three rapidly growing urban areas.