28 May,2026 08:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MMRDA strengthens eastern suburb connectivity with Chembur Metro interchange (Pic/Special arrangement)
Mumbai's urban mobility network is set to transform connectivity in the city's eastern suburbs, with the upcoming Chembur Metro Station expected to emerge as a crucial interchange point and the Mumbai Monorail gearing up for a relaunch.
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, conducted a site inspection of the upcoming Chembur Metro Station on Thursday, along with MMOCL MD Kanhuraj Bagate. During the visit, the officials also inspected the nearby VN Purav Monorail Station to assess system preparedness and evaluate the ease of connectivity between the Metro and Monorail networks.
The inspection forms part of the broader efforts by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to create a seamless and integrated transport ecosystem across Mumbai.
Officials said that once operational, the interchange is expected to significantly improve last-mile connectivity and reduce travel time for lakhs of commuters travelling across the eastern suburbs and towards South-Central Mumbai. The integrated network is also expected to offer smoother interchanges between different modes of public transport, making daily commuting more efficient and convenient.
The relaunch of the Mumbai Monorail alongside the Metro integration is being seen as a major step in strengthening Mumbai's multi-modal transport infrastructure and encouraging greater reliance on public transit systems.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Thursday also announced that the expanded Metro Line 5 corridor will now span 34.21 km, making it one of the largest metro corridors in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The development follows the approval of the extended Metro Line 5A section, which will improve connectivity across Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar.
According to MMRDA, the original 22.38-km Metro Line 5 project has been extended by an additional 11.83 km through Metro Line 5A. The total estimated cost of the expanded corridor has been pegged at Rs 18,130 crore.
MMRDA said Phase 1 of the project, connecting Thane and Dhamankar Naka, is progressing towards the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) inspection stage. The authority stated that the first phase is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year.
