Introduction

To ease the pressure on the modes of transport, a need establish connectivity between all the residential nodes was felt. As a result, an integrated Metro Rail corridor is being designed in Navi Mumbai. This option is an important transportation requirement of today's Modern & Smart City. The Metro rail shall not only boost the city's transit system but also boost its economic growth as well.

GoM has authorized CIDCO as MRT System Administration Implementing Agency under Tramways Act, 1886 for the construction, maintenance and operation of Metro Rail for Corridor 1 to be developed in 3 phases. The Corridor -1 as Belapur- Kharghar- Pendhar- Kalamboli- Khandeshwar to be extended to NMIA is based on the Detailed Project Report(DPR) for Navi Mumbai Metro Rail Proeject prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporaton(DMRC). Govt. of India took the decision to enact “The Metro Railways (Amendment) Act, 2009” for amendment of “The Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978” & “The Metro Railway (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002” so the Navi Mumbai Rail Project come under above Central Acts vide notification dated 16.11.2010 The Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India has notified the Alignment of Corridor 1, Line-1 from Belapur- Pendhar under Section -32 of the Metro Railways Act, 1978 for implementation ofproject.

The modern and rapid transit system is under construction being overseen by CIDCO. The construction of Metro rail from Belapur to Pendhar is currently underway with the total length of 11.10 km with 11 metro stations and depot – cum- workshop at Taloja Panchanand. With elevated stations including one terminal at Belapur, the stations will have passenger amenities and other sub- system for train control and operation. With a direct connection to NMIA, all the phases of line 1 will be constructed and funded by CIDCO. The proposed route will link Belapur, Kharghar, Taloja, MIDC, Kalamboli and the Khandeshwar railway station, terminating at the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport. The depot cum workshop near Taloja Panchanand will have the scheduled inspection and periodic, preventive and breakdown maintenance carried out. Consisting of administration and operation control centre, playback training room, inspection bay & maintenance workshop, stabling shed, utility structures and other operational facilities, the workshop will ensure maintenance is carried out at regular intervals.

Eight trains with three coaches each meant for Navi Mumbai Metro have already arrived at the Pendhar Metro terminal at Taloja. The empty trial run of the metro train is planned by end of December 2020 and commencement of commercial operations is expected by May 2021. Designed in China, the arrival of these coaches has raised the hopes of Navi Mumbai residents to take a ride on the modern mode of transport.

The successful trial run of metro rail on line no. 1 Belapur to Pendhar under CIDCO's Metro Project took place recently at the hands of Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The total cost of the project for the proposed four lines in Navi Mumbai is Rs. 8,904 crores of 26.26 kms. Line no. 2 (Khandeshwar to Taloja MIDC) is 7.12 kms in length with 6 metro stations. The proposed line No. 3 that will link Line 1 and 2 is of approximately 3.87 kms. Line no. 4 that will run from Khandeshwar to Navi Mumbai International Airport is of approximately 4.17 kms linked to NMIA. In addition, MMRDA has proposed the Kalyan-Taloja Metro route that will utilize the area for CIDCO's NAINA project.