Rahul Somvanshi
Karmactive Team
Mumbai‘s metro expansion faces a crisis of escalating costs and prolonged delays across multiple corridors, with budget overruns reaching thousands of crores and completion timelines pushed back by years. While operational lines have achieved ridership milestones, the larger network construction continues to burden public finances and disappoint commuters awaiting promised connectivity.
At-a-glance: Mumbai Metro status (Aug 9, 2025)
Operational lines
- Line 1 (Blue) — Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar. Operator: MMOPL.
- Line 2A (Yellow) — Dahisar E–Andheri W.
- Line 7 (Red) — Dahisar E–Gundavali.
- Line 3 (Aqua) — Partially operational
• Phase 1: Aarey JVLR ↔ BKC, opened Oct 5, 2024.
• Phase 2A: BKC ↔ Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli), passenger services from May 10, 2025; schedule posted by MMRCL.
Under construction / delayed (latest official milestones)
- Line 2B (Yellow) — DN Nagar–Mandale. Under construction.
- Line 4 (Green) — Wadala–Kasarvadavali, 32.32 km, 30 stations. Under construction.
- Line 4A (Green) — Kasarvadavali–Gaimukh, 2.7 km extension. Under construction.
- Line 5 (Orange) — Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan, 24.9 km. Under construction.
- Line 6 (Pink) — Swami Samarth Nagar–Vikhroli (EEH), ~15.3 km. Under construction.
- Line 7A (Red) — Gundavali–CSMIA (T2), under construction; TBM “Disha” breakthrough recorded Apr 17, 2025.
- Line 9 (Red) — Dahisar E–Mira-Bhayandar, under construction; trial run held June 9, 2025.
- Line 10 (Green) — Gaimukh–Mira Road (Shivaji Chowk). Planning/early works, DPR on MMRDA site.
- Line 11 (Green) — Wadala–CSMT (southward extension of Line 4). Planning/early works, DPR on MMRDA site.
- Line 12 (Orange) — Kalyan–Taloja, ~23.6 km. Under construction/planned per MMRDA overview.
- Line 8 (Gold) — CSMIA–Navi Mumbai Int’l Airport. Proposed/DPR stage under MMRDA Transport & Comms.
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Metro Line 4 Budget Explodes by 50%
Metro Line 4 construction costs have surged significantly, with the project base cost pegged at ₹14,549 crore according to MMRDA’s official filing. The project faces delays, with timeline adjustments pushing completion back several years.
RTI activist Anil Galgali revealed this information through an application that exposed the extent of project mismanagement. The construction contract for the 32.32-km elevated corridor was awarded to RInfra-ASTALDI and CHEC-TPL in April 2018, yet progress has been consistently behind schedule.
Galgali has strongly criticized the MMRDA for its poor oversight, pointing out that no penalties have been levied despite the substantial delays and escalating costs. He has called for criminal action against those responsible for the mismanagement and has demanded that both the MMRDA and the government explain the financial burden placed on taxpayers.
The 32.32-kilometer elevated corridor will feature 30 stations linking key transit points, including the Eastern Express Highway, Central Railway, Monorail, Metro Line 2B, Metro Line 5, and Metro Line 6. However, the delays have disrupted commutes for millions of residents who were promised improved connectivity years ago.
Metro Line 3 Costs Balloon from ₹23,136 to ₹37,276 Crore
Metro Line, originally estimated at ₹23,136 cro, has seen costs rise to ₹37,276 crore, as approved by the Government of India on February 29, 2024. The project deadline was extended due to several delays, including COVID.
The Maharashtra Government on August 10, 2022, approved an additional expenditure of over Rs 10,000 crore for Mumbai Metro Line 3. The state government is going to request the Union government to contribute from its corpus for the completion of the project.
The cost escalation for the 33.5 km long underground metro corridor is mainly attributed to the construction of the tunnel, stations, and car depot. The land acquisition costs have also increased as part of the overall project revision.
This delay and other issues like the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in high cost overruns in thousands of crores in rupees and also delayed the opening of the line by at least 2 years.
The funding structure has been completely restructured, with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) increasing its contribution from Rs 13,235 crore to Rs 21,280.45 crore (57.09%) to accommodate the massive cost escalation.
Under-Construction Lines: Timelines & Status
| Line | Route | Projected Operation | Status / Delay Notes |
| Line 2B | DN Nagar ↔ Mandale | Partial (Diamond Garden–Mandale) by Dec 2025; full by mid‑2026 / latest expected by end‑2027 | Trial runs began April 2025; 78% civil work done; Phase‑1 mid‑2026, full by 2027 |
| Line 4 | Wadala ↔ Kasarvadavali (Green) | Expected completion by Dec 2025; trials slated before year-end; possible push to early 2026 | U-girder installation at Kapurbawdi in June 2025; tests planned before 2026 |
| Line 5 | Thane ↔ Bhiwandi ↔ Kalyan | Phase 1 (Kapurbawdi–Bhiwandi): mid-2025; Phase 2: by Dec 2025 (some sources say into 2026/27) | Latest media update: Phases delayed; mid-2025 for Phase 1, Phase 2 possibly into 2026 |
| Line 6 | Swami Samarth Nagar ↔ Vikhroli (Pink) | Expected by late 2025 | Construction underway; contractor packages with 24-month timelines from Feb 2025 |
| Line 7A | Gundavali ↔ CSMIA (Airport) | Expected by Dec 2026 | TBM breakthrough in July 2025; projected opening in December 2026 |
| Line 9 | Dahisar East ↔ Mira-Bhayandar | Trial run held June 2025; expected to be operational by the end of 2025? | Trial run conducted; operational target for late 2025 implied |
Metro Line 2B Timeline Extended to 2026
While the full stretch of Metro Line 2B from DN Nagar to Mandale was originally scheduled for completion by December 2025, the timeline has now been extended to early 2026 for key sections like Diamond Garden to DN Nagar.
On 4 February 2020, the MMRDA terminated the contract awarded to Simplex Infrastructure and the RCC-MBZ joint venture over a delay in completing the work. Simplex had completed 5% of the total work in 30 months, while it was scheduled to have completed 65%. RCC-MBZ had only completed 4.46% of the total work.
The 2B line will be 23.643 km (14.691 mi) long. The project has been divided into phases, with contractor failures forcing MMRDA to rebid multiple packages, causing further delays and cost escalations.
Operational Lines Show Promise Amid Construction Chaos
Despite construction delays, operational Metro Lines 2A and 7 achieved 200 million passenger journeys in just 39 months. Daily ridership now exceeds 300,000 passengers, with ridership increasing by approximately 5% week-on-week.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated: “As citizens increasingly embrace the metro as their primary mode of transport, it becomes our duty to stay ahead of their expectations. This step is aligned with our vision of a connected, empowered Mumbai.”
Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee remarked: “Crossing the 3 lakh ridership milestone is not just a statistical achievement. Under our ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ vision, ridership increasing by approximately 5% week-on-week reflects how Mumbaikars are steadily opting for smarter travel choices“.
The ridership progression shows: 19,451 passengers on April 2, 2022; 10 million journeys by January 27, 2023; 100 million by May 28, 2024; 150 million by January 4, 2025; record 300,000+ passengers in a single day on July 8, 2025; and 200 million total journeys by August 2025.
Engineering Progress Amid Financial Strain
TBM ‘Disha’ achieved a breakthrough on Metro Line 7A on April 17, 2025, completing a 1.647 km underground tunnel connecting Andheri East to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with a finished diameter of 6.35 meters. This represents the first underground tunnel in Mumbai’s Metro network by MMRDA.
Metro Line 9 trials commenced on June 9, 2025, with MMRDA planning to launch passenger services in the coming months. The trials are taking place on the first-ever metro corridor in Thane district.
However, these engineering achievements come at a significant cost. Metro Line 7A construction involves key engineering challenges, including tunnelling beneath the Sahar Elevated Road, constructing an overpass above Metro Line 3, diverting a major sewer line, and crossing an underground water pipeline.
Government Pressure for Timeline Adherence
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis conducted a review of major infrastructure projects in Mumbai and directed officials to ensure projects are completed within their scheduled timeframes. In meetings, various issues were discussed and decisions taken to accelerate implementation.
Fadnavis emphasized: “We have the latest technology. Therefore, projects should be completed in a short time. The difficulties faced in completing all metro projects in the state, including Mumbai, as per schedule, should be resolved well in time”.
Despite government pressure, project timelines continue to slip. He directed that instead of having separate dashboards for each department, the current status of each project should be recorded only on the Chief Minister’s dashboard.
Massive Funding Approvals Amid Cost Concerns
MMRDA sanctioned 19 major infrastructure initiatives valued at more than Rs 12,000 crore to expedite Metro Expansion and Smart Transport Systems. Significant endorsements include a ₹4,788 crore agreement with Larsen & Toubro Ltd. for integrated systems related to Metro Line 4 & 4A, covering rolling stock, signaling, and depot facilities, along with five years of maintenance.
Additional major contracts include Metro Line 6 allocations with IRCON International Ltd. obtaining a ₹668.15 crore contract for power supply and E&M systems, while NCC Ltd. was given ₹2,269.66 crore for rolling stock and signalling systems.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated: “The Mumbai Metro has become a trusted lifeline. The expansion in services is a people-centric decision that reinforces our commitment to building globally benchmarked transport infrastructure. With over ₹12,000 crore in strategic investments, we are advancing toward a seamless, sustainable, and inclusive metro network that will define the next era of urban mobility for Maharashtra”.
Public Accountability Demands Mount
The financial burden on public resources continues to mount, with concerns about mismanagement and inefficiency rising as Mumbaikars await the long-promised metro link aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving transit options.
Current operational segments show promise with Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd managing director Rubal Agarwal stating: “Our ridership has now consistently touched 3.01 lakh passengers. We remain committed to delivering metro services that are not just timely and safe, balbutso focus on the next frontier — enhancing service frequency, onboarding digital ticketing tools, and ensuring last-mile connectivity”.
However, the gap between operational success and construction delivery continues to widen, with multiple corridors facing years of additional delays and billions in cost overruns that burden Maharashtra’s public finances while millions of commuters wait for promised connectivity.
