Construction work on the second Metro corridor in south Mumbai, connecting CST with Wadala, is expected to begin by next year. An extension of Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadavli Metro-4, the corridor is being executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
According to MMRDA, it is currently undergoing the process of updating the detailed project report (DPR) for the project, following which it will apply for approvals from the state government. Subsequently, tendering process for the civil construction would be conducted.
According to insiders’ sources, the civil works may start next year but it all depends on the approvals from state government. If those are obtained beforehand, it may also start before next year. The extension of Metro-4 will be a mixture of an underground Metro and an elevated Metro. The proposal lays down that the underground portion will be near CST at the eastern waterfront that is under the control of Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). The MMRDA also wants the MbPT to bear the cost for the underground section as the government body will benefit from it.
According to the current plan, the alignment for Metro-4 starts from Thane and enters Mumbai limits via LBS Marg from Mulund heading towards Wadala via Eastern Express Highway (EEH). From Wadala, the Metro will be connected through an extension traversing via Rafi Ahmed Kidwai (RAK) Marg and head towards CST.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is primarily funding the 32-km long Metro-4 corridor, but the MMRDA has also decided to take loans from domestic banks for the extension arm of Metro-4, as it is in planning stage.
