Mumbai Metro Line 5 Expands to 34.21 km, First Phase Moves Closer to Opening
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approved a major expansion of Mumbai Metro Line 5, extending the corridor from 22.38 km to 34.21 km through the addition of the Metro Line 5A extension. The expanded route will significantly improve connectivity across Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar, making it one of the largest metro corridors in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The expanded project carries an estimated investment of ₹18,130 crore and is expected to play a vital role in reducing road congestion while supporting the region's rapidly growing residential, industrial, and commercial hubs.
Construction of the first phase, spanning approximately 11.9 km between Thane and Dhamankar Naka in Bhiwandi, has entered its final stages. Authorities are preparing for the mandatory Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) inspection, one of the last steps before passenger services can commence. If timelines remain on track, the first section is expected to open by the end of 2026.
The Metro Line 5 expansion is designed to enhance public transport by linking major residential areas with industrial and logistics hubs. It will also integrate with other metro corridors, suburban rail services, and key highways, enabling faster and more seamless travel throughout the eastern Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The extension is expected to particularly benefit Bhiwandi, one of Asia's largest warehousing and textile hubs, as well as the densely populated Kalyan–Dombivli region, where demand for reliable mass transit continues to rise.
The expansion of Mumbai Metro Line 5 to 34.21 km marks a major step forward in Maharashtra's urban transport infrastructure. With Phase 1 approaching its final safety inspection, commuters across Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar are set to benefit from faster, safer, and more efficient metro connectivity in the near future.