Mumbai Metro Line 7 (Red Line): Stations, Fare, Route Map, Status, & Timeline

– Mumbai Metro Master Plan and DPR for the Lines:

Mumbai Metro Line 7, also known as the Andheri-Dahisar Metro corridor, is an elevated metro line in Mumbai, India. The project was part of the proposed Master Plan prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which was unveiled in 2004. However, it went through many revisions later. 

In June 2015, Fadnavis requested DMRC to prepare a revised and updated Master Plan for Mumbai Metro. DMRC prepared DPR for the four corridors that are – Andheri East to Dahisar East on Western Express Highway, Dahisar to Andheri West on Link Road, Jogeshwari to Kanjurmarg (12-km) on JVLR, and Bandra Kurla Complex to Mankhurd. 

Later these corridors were merged and named Metro Line 7 (Dahisar – Gundavali (Andheri East), Metro Line 2A (Dahisar – Andheri West) and Metro Line 2B (ESIC Nagar – Mankhurd – Mandala).

– Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony and Construction Phase:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhoomi puja for Mumbai Metro Line 7 and Metro Line 2A in October 2015 and started construction in 2016.

The project was undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is responsible for the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The project also faced criticism from environmentalists and local residents who were concerned about the impact of the elevated line on the city’s skyline and the surrounding environment. 

The MMRDA addressed these concerns by incorporating several green features in the design of the stations, such as rainwater harvesting and solar power generation.

The revised project cost for both metro lines was ₹6,208 crores for Line 7 and ₹6,410 crores for line 2A. The contract to design and construct metro lines 7 and 2A was awarded to three infrastructure companies by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The project faced several challenges during its construction. One of the major challenges was the acquisition of land for the construction of stations and the laying of tracks. 

The MMRDA had to acquire land from private landowners as well as government agencies, which led to delays and legal hurdles.

The project was estimated to be completed by Mid 2020; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors affected the project’s completion date.

In May 2021, MMRDA commenced trial runs on Lines 2A and 7. MMRDA officials had assured that the two lines would be fully operational for the public by October 2021, which was revised later.

The project was decided to open for commercial operation in two phases. Phase 1 (Dhanukarwadi-Dahisar-Aarey) and Phase 2 (Gundavali – Andheri West)

– Inauguration of Phase 1:

After many revisions in its deadline date, the Mumbai metro line 7 Phase 1 was finally opened for commercial operation on April 2nd, 2022, during an auspicious Maharashtrian New Year Day, Gudi Padva. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the Mumbai Metro lines 2A and 7.

As a part of the Phase 1 plan, the metro stretch covers 20 KM (Dhanukarwadi-Dahisar-Aarey). The Metro ran between Dhanukarwadi on Metro Line 2A and Aarey on Line 7. The two metro lines ran parallelly on Western Express Highway and Link road, which helps immensely to reduce road congestion and local train overcrowding on the western route.

However, since both lines were not fully operational, congestion on the road and train overcrowding was still present on the western lines.

– Inauguration of Phase 2:

On 21st January, 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase II Metro Lines 2A and 7, which started commercial operation the next day at 4.00 PM.

Despite the challenges, the project was completed in six years, with a total cost of around Rs. 6,200 crores (approximately USD 900 million). The Line 7 corridor caters to around 1.5 lakh passengers per day and reduces travel time between Andheri and Dahisar from 90 minutes to just 25 minutes.