07 April,2026 01:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and other leaders flag off the new Metro Line-9 at Dahisar East. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday inaugurated the much-awaited Phase-1 of Mumbai Metro Line-9 at Kashigaon, giving a major boost to commuters in the Mira-Bhayandar region.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde were also present at the inauguration ceremony.
The operations on the route will begin for commuters on Wednesday, April 8.
The first phase of the elevated Metro Line-9 spans 4.7 km and includes four stations: Dahisar East, Pandurangwadi, Miragaon, and Kashigaon. This new stretch provides seamless connectivity from the Mira Road area to Metro Line-7 at Dahisar East, enabling commuters to travel directly towards Andheri East and further to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport via Line-7A.
The full Metro Line-9 corridor is planned as a 10.5 km elevated route with eight stations up to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Garden in Mira Bhayandar. Phase-1 marks the beginning of significantly improved public transport for the rapidly expanding Mira-Bhayandar belt.
The revised timetable focuses on reducing waiting time and enhancing commuter convenience.
- Peak hour frequency will range from around 5.5 to 6 minutes
- Non-peak frequency will range from 8 to 10 minutes
- More trips will be operated across all corridors
Officials said this will help manage increasing passenger demand and reduce crowding.
Seamless interchange: Commuters can switch to Metro Line-7 and Line-2A at Dahisar East without exiting the station, making travel to Andheri East and the airport hassle-free.
Traffic relief: The new line is expected to divert 20-30 per cent of road commuters to the metro, reducing congestion at Dahisar Toll Plaza by 10-15 per cent during peak hours.
Time savings: Residents of Kashigaon and nearby areas will enjoy significantly shorter travel times to key hubs, benefiting daily office-goers and students.
Multimodal integration: The metro will integrate smoothly with buses, autorickshaws, and other metro lines, reducing dependence on private vehicles.
The metro line promotes green mobility through electric operations, regenerative braking, energy-efficient station design, and lower carbon emissions. Stations are equipped with lifts, escalators, CCTV surveillance, modern signage, tactile paths, and barrier-free access for inclusive travel.
Officials highlighted that the project will offer safe, comfortable, and faster travel while helping reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the eastern suburbs.
This development is part of the Maharashtra government's larger infrastructure push to strengthen Mumbai's suburban connectivity. Commercial operations on the new stretch are expected to begin shortly after the inauguration.
