The Mumbai Metro Line-5 is now set to start operations on March 31, 2025, after missing its initial completion deadline of March 1, 2022.
This information revealed through an RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali, exposes the inefficiency of the metro administration and the shortcomings in project management by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
The construction work for Mumbai Metro Line-5, which connects Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan, was awarded to Afcons Infrastructure on September 1, 2019. The 24.90 km-long elevated corridor consists of 15 stations and was initially expected to be completed by March 1, 2022. However, the new deadline has now been pushed to March 31, 2025. Galgali has demanded punitive action due to project delays and potential cost escalations.
According to Galgali, despite the three-year delay, the estimated construction cost for the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro project was unchanged at ₹898.19 crore. However, only a minimal penalty of ₹20.88 lakh has been imposed as the punitive action.
Metro Line-5 is a crucial route, set to interconnect with the existing Metro Line-4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali) and the proposed Metro Line-12 (Kalyan-Taloja), linking with the Central Railway. Once operational, it will significantly improve connectivity for commercial and government employees as well as residents of Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan. The metro line could reduce travel time by 50% to 75%, said Galgali. However, with the ongoing delays, passengers will have to wait longer for these benefits.
