Kalyan: Phase 1 of the Metro Line 5 corridor is progressing steadily towards the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) inspection stage, a key milestone before commissioning. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has expanded the project into one of the region’s largest metro corridors, spanning 34.2 km across Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar.
Corridor Extension and Cost
The metro corridor, initially planned as a 22.38-km route, has now been extended through Metro Line 5A, adding 11.8 km. The total project cost has risen to Rs 18,130 crore. Authorities confirmed that the first phase between Thane and Dhamankar Naka in Bhiwandi is expected to open for public operations by the end of the year.
Chief Minister’s Remarks
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that Metro Line 5 would significantly improve mobility for residents of Bhiwandi and the Kalyan-Dombivli belt, which together form one of the region’s major industrial and residential clusters.
“Bhiwandi, one of Asia’s largest textile and warehousing hubs, and the Kalyan-Dombivli region with a population of over 35 lakh require high-capacity transport connectivity. The corridor will seamlessly integrate with suburban rail and highways, ensuring faster and safer travel for lakhs of citizens,” Fadnavis said.
Official Statements
Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said the corridor would become a major mobility backbone for the eastern MMR region by connecting key commercial, industrial, and residential centres. MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee noted that infrastructure work on Phase 1 has reached an advanced stage, and preparations for CMRS inspection are underway.
“Station infrastructure is steadily taking shape and once operational, the corridor will substantially reduce travel time and strengthen the ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ vision,” Mukherjee added.
Phase 1 Details
Phase 1 of Metro Line 5 will run from Thane to Dhamankar Naka over 11.9 km with six stations: Balkhum, Kasheli, Kalher, Purna, Anjurphata, and Dhamankar Naka. Work on the Kasheli Metro car depot, including inspection pit facilities and depot control infrastructure, is progressing rapidly.
Future Phases and Integration
Phase 2 will extend the corridor from Dhamankar Naka to Durgadi over 10.48 km with six stations, including an underground station at Bhiwandi. The newly approved Metro Line 5A will further extend connectivity from Durgadi to Kalyan with a spur towards Ulhasnagar through seven elevated stations.
The corridor will integrate with Metro Line 4 at Balkhum and Metro Line 12 at Kalyan Junction, while also improving access to suburban railway stations at Thane, Kalyan, Vitthalwadi, and Ulhasnagar. Authorities said feeder bus services and connectivity to major highways including NH-160, NH-61, and NH-848 will improve last-mile access.
Expected Benefits
According to MMRDA, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time by 40-50%, ease congestion on arterial roads, and support economic activity across the region’s industrial and logistics hubs. It will also reduce carbon emissions through lower dependence on private vehicles.
