Metro Line 9, which connects Dahisar East to Mira Road, received final approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) on Tuesday. The first phase of the line, which extends Line 7 from Dahisar East to Andheri East, includes four stations over 4.5 km and ends in Kashigaon at Mira Road.
The Dahisar, Pandhurang Wadi, Miragaon and Kashigaon stations are aimed at easing congestion on the Dahisar Checknaka stretch and the Western Express Highway.
“Personnel are being deployed on the prospective line and training is continuing,” said an MMRDA source. While the exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, the line could be inaugurated on Republic Day in late January or early February. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis It is absent from Davos until January 24, and state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has indicated the opening could be postponed until early February, according to the agencies.
Once operational, Line 9 will provide commuters from Mira Bhayandar with a direct route to Andheri East without the need to transfer at Dahisar East. Passengers will also have the option to change to Line 2A towards Andheri West.
The entire stretch of Line 9 will eventually have eight stations and will extend to the Subhash Chandra Bose stadium in Bhayandar. Construction of this final stretch is expected to be the focus of attention over the next six months.
Apart from Line 9, the first phase of Line 2B from Mandale in the eastern suburbs to Diamond Garden in Chembur has also obtained CMRS certification.
The five-station line, which connects to Mankhurd railway station, has been ready for months, but remains unopened. Its launch will also activate the Mandale depot, a key facility for multiple metro lines. Both lines may be inaugurated together.