In a significant step to strengthen Mumbai’s metro network, the Maharashtra government has approved a loan guarantee for six key Metro corridors under development by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This decision was taken during a cabinet meeting led by the Chief Minister and will help MMRDA secure funding from international financial institutions, ensuring the timely execution of these high-cost projects.

The six Metro lines include Metro Line 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan), Metro Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar–Vikhroli), Metro Line 9 (Dahisar East–Mira Bhayandar), Metro Line 10 (Gaimukh–Shivaji Chowk, Mira Road), Metro Line 11 (Wadala–CSMT), and a 3.3-km underground extension of Metro Line 7 from Gundavali to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport via Marol.

With a total cost of over ₹36,000 crore, these projects are in different stages of development, involving both elevated and underground routes. The state’s loan guarantee will allow MMRDA to approach global lenders such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to raise necessary capital.

However, the responsibility for repaying the loan—including interest and liabilities—will rest solely with MMRDA. The state will act only as a guarantor, helping MMRDA qualify for international loans and avoid financial delays that could disrupt construction and raise costs.

Officials emphasized that the loan guarantee is crucial for keeping the projects on track. These metro lines form a vital part of MMRDA’s plan to build a 300-km metro network across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by the end of the decade.

Lines 5, 6, and 9 are expected to ease traffic congestion in central and western suburbs, while Lines 10 and 11 will improve access in the growing Mira-Bhayandar and South Mumbai areas. The Gundavali–CSMIA extension will provide a direct airport link for commuters from the western suburbs. Once completed, these corridors will benefit lakhs of daily passengers and significantly reduce the burden on Mumbai’s road transport system.