Five months after its completion, Navi Mumbai Metro to get rolling sans ceremony

The first leg of the Metro will connect Belapur to Pendhar. File pic

Almost five months past CIDCO officials had claimed they were all set to start the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, the much-awaited project is set to begin operations today without any VIP inauguration. The key project was scheduled to be inaugurated by the PM, but it was cancelled twice.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed CIDCO to start operations from 3 pm today, "in the interest of residents". The state government had planned to invite PM Modi to inaugurate the Metro project but it was cancelled twice as the PMO didn't give the green signal. There were talks that Modi would visit Navi Mumbai to inaugurate the Metro Line 1, the Belapur-Uran railway line and Digha railway station. The Metro will commence operations tomorrow and there is no confirmation yet from the chief minister or the Prime Minister's Office if Modi will inaugurate the remaining projects.

An artist's impression of the Metro line in operation

CM Shinde said in a statement, "The most awaited Metro line will start operating from November 17. I congratulate Navi Mumbai residents. I have ordered CIDCO officials not to wait for a formal inauguration and to put the convenience of residents as a priority. The Metro line will bring much-needed connectivity within the city and it will take forward the government's resolution to spread the Metro network within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region."

On November 17, the first metro service will start simultaneously on both sides between Pendhar and Belapur Terminal at 3 pm. The last service for the day will be run at 11 pm. However, from Saturday onwards, the first service from both ends will run at 6 am, with a 15-minute gap between services. The last service will be at 10 pm. "The dream of Navi Mumbai residents has come true. The Metro will provide a fast, comfortable and environment-friendly option of public transport to the residents. This will provide the best connectivity option to the residents from the Taloja and Kharghar nodes. The service will help transform Navi Mumbai into an international city," said Anil Diggikar, vice-chairman and managing director, CIDCO.

One of the new Metro rakes that would be pressed into service today

mid-day has been reporting how the project launch has been delayed despite it being completed with all the clearances received in June. "Each and every thing is ready to work - the ground staff, housekeeping, technicians, even security guards have been already recruited and they are being paid too. In fact, the corporation is suffering losses since the project's inauguration has been delayed," a senior CIDCO official had told mid-day earlier. According to the official, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had been informed about the development and CIDCO was waiting for the CMO to take a call regarding the inauguration. There were then talks of PM Modi inaugurating the Metro line on October 30. However, the launch was delayed again.

The background

The Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 took 12 years to complete from the time of the ground-breaking ceremony by then Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavhan on May 1, 2011. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) urban planning body in Navi Mumbai had plans to complete the first line within 3 years and make it operational.

However, due to several delays caused by legal and technical issues, the completion of the 11.1 km Navi Mumbai Metro with 11 stations en route took almost 12 years to complete. Phase I of the Navi Mumbai Metro will connect CBD Belapur to Pendhar. Its operation would play a significant role in improving Navi Mumbai's connectivity and in the expansion of the real estate market in the satellite city. The construction of stations and other aspects of Line 1 was given to the San Jose Constructora-Mahavir Roads-Supreme Infra joint venture. However, the contract was cancelled by CIDCO and then to expedite the construction, in February 2021 Maharashtra Metro Railway Corporation (MahaMetro) was roped in.

After 5 months MahaMetro was given the contract for operations and maintenance of Line 1 for the next 10 years at a cost of R885 crore (plus taxes). This gave a boost to the construction of the Metro line. In October 2021, CIDCO received the CMRS (Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety) certificate to operate the Navi Mumbai Metro for a 5.4 km stretch from Pendhar to Central Park. But CIDCO went ahead and completed construction of all 11 stations on Line 1 and applied for CMRS certification for the entire stretch. Finally, on June 31, 2023, CIDCO officials announced that all the necessary approvals and certifications to run the Metro service had been received. The Metro line has cost a whopping Rs 250 crore per kilometre, taking the Line 1 cost to approximately Rs 2,500 crore.

2011
Year the ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held