Mumbai Metro Line 14 to improve travel times significantly

Construction of Metro Line 14, which will link Kanjurmarg and Badlapur in Mumbai, is expected to start within a year. The project aims to significantly reduce travel times for commuters. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is moving forward with preparations. They plan to hire a consultant to create an environmental impact report and get the necessary approvals from forest and environment departments. This step was initiated with a tender issued recently. Once the consultant is on board, MMRDA aims to complete all required processes quickly and begin construction within 12 months. The metro line, spanning 38 kilometers, could cut current commuting times of 1.5 to 2 hours down to much shorter durations for Badlapur residents. This project is part of Mumbai's larger metro network, which will total 337 kilometers across various routes. The detailed project report for Line 14 has already been approved by IIT Bombay and will soon be submitted to the state government for final clearance. The metro route will pass through sensitive ecological areas, including Thane Creek and the Flamingo Sanctuary. Therefore, securing environmental clearances is essential. MMRDA has taken steps to ensure this process moves smoothly to avoid delays. Metro Line 14 is projected to cost around Rs 18,000 crore and is seen as one of MMRDA's key expansion initiatives. The addition of this line is expected to improve connectivity and ease travel for thousands of daily commuters.