The Maharashtra government has approved Metro Line 8, also known as the Gold Line, to directly connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai with Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The 35-km corridor, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) Metro Master Plan, aims to enhance airport connectivity and ease passenger travel. 

Metro 8 will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, despite its mixed success in Mumbai’s metro projects. Initially overseen by MMRDA, the project has now been handed over to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which has been tasked with preparing a detailed project report. 

With NMIA expected to be operational by mid-2025, Metro 8 is set to provide seamless airport connectivity. Currently, NMIA is accessible via the Atal Setu, with further improvements anticipated through the completion of the Worli-Sewri connector. 

Metro Line 8 will cover 35 km, including 25.8 km of elevated track and 8.2 km of underground sections. The route will pass through key locations like Kurla and Mankhurd, linking Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and a proposed Interstate Bus Terminal at Mankhurd. The line will feature 20 stations and integrate with Metro 2B. 

The project, estimated to cost Rs 150 billion (as per 2023 data), is expected to be completed in six years. While the metro line aims to significantly enhance urban mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, concerns remain over the PPP model. Previous experiences, such as Metro 1 (Ghatkopar-Versova), highlighted financial challenges under private participation, leading to a shift toward contract-based metro projects in the city. 

(freepressjournal)