The operator also stated that it is considering restarting mixed-loop services, alternate short-loop services between Ghatkopar and Andheri during peak hours. Between April and June 2025, Mumbai Metro Line 1 had introduced innovative mixed-loop services
A crowd at Ghatkopar Metro station on Wednesday. Pic/Atul Kamble
The Mumbai Metro Line 1, also known as the Blue Line, on Monday, for the first time, officially confirmed that it has submitted a proposal to its lenders — the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), through the India Debt Resolution Company Limited (IDRCL) — for the procurement of additional coaches as a long-term solution to address overcrowding. There has been a longstanding demand to convert the existing four-coach Metro trains into six-coach ones to enhance their carrying capacity.
The operator also stated that it is considering restarting mixed-loop services — alternate short-loop services between Ghatkopar and Andheri during peak hours. Between April and June 2025, Mumbai Metro Line 1 had introduced innovative mixed-loop services, where alternate services with higher frequency operated between Ghatkopar and Andheri, catering to 88 per cent of Metro 1 commuters. mid-day was the first to report this development.
“The mixed-loop service operations resulted in reduced frequency for 12 per cent of commuters who travel from Versova, DN Nagar, and Azad Nagar. Based on commuter feedback, Mumbai Metro 1 withdrew the mixed-loop operations from June 16, 2025,” a spokesperson said. “Though the mixed-loop services were discontinued, Metro 1 optimised service efficiency by adding 452 additional trips. Efforts are ongoing to further optimise operations by improving train speed, which in turn improves headway,” the spokesperson added. Currently, the carrying capacity of Mumbai Metro 1 during peak hours is around 65,000 commuters. The service operates 36 train trips with a frequency of 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
What happened on Monday?
Train services were delayed on Monday morning when one train was unable to reach the required operating speed and had to be withdrawn from service. Though operations resumed quickly, the disruption caused significant crowding and chaos.
“Today, due to the cancellation of just one trip, around 500 commuters accumulated at Ghatkopar. This backlog persisted for around 45 minutes, resulting in approximately 500 commuters waiting outside the Metro premises,” said the spokesperson.
“Whenever there is a service disruption, cancelled trips lead to a temporary drop in carrying capacity by about 1750 commuters per trip. Such lost trips are usually compensated by deploying additional services using a hot-standby train,” the spokesperson added.
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