Construction on one of the most awaited and key routes of the Mumbai Metro beyond Thane connecting Bhiwandi in phase one, and subsequently Kalyan in phase two, called Orange Line Metro 5, has now gathered pace. At least 50 per cent work on the creek bridge for this line is complete and overall 64 per cent of station work has already been done.

The total cost of phase one and two is estimated at Rs 8,416.51 crore. “Work is currently on in the first phase of a 12.7 km stretch between Thane and Bhiwandi of  Orange Line 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan). It will have a total of six fully upgraded stations and 64 per cent construction of stations in this phase has been completed, totaling 70 per cent physical progress,” a senior MMRDA official said.