The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has begun groundwork for the Metro Line 5A extension, connecting Kalyan and Ulhasnagar, three years after its initial proposal. The Detailed Project Report is ready and expected to reach the Maharashtra government in April for approval. This 11.8 km elevated corridor aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the rapidly urbanizing Kalyan region.
Three years after the initial announcement, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has started preparatory work for the proposed Metro Line 5A extension between Kalyan and Ulhasnagar. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is complete, and the proposal is set to be presented to the Maharashtra government in April for approval. On Wednesday, MMRDA invited bids for general consultants as part of the process leading to construction tenders.
The project addresses growing traffic congestion and the strain on suburban rail services in Kalyan, driven by rapid urbanization. The 11.829 km elevated corridor will extend from Kon Gaon station on the existing Metro Line 5, which links Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan. It will feature seven stations: Durgadi, Khadakpada, and Bhoirwadi, where the line splits into two spurs. The Kalyan arm, 6.557 km long, will end at Shivaji Path Kalyan, an interchange with the proposed Metro Line 12 to Navi Mumbai. The Ulhasnagar arm, 5.272 km, will terminate at Shanti Nagar and Shivaji Chowk in Ulhasnagar.
The corridor will utilize the Kasheli car shed under development for Metro Line 5. The estimated cost is ₹4,063.08 crore. Projections indicate 9.55 lakh daily passengers from Kapurbawdi to Kalyan currently, rising to 10.99 lakh by 2031 and 13.36 lakh by 2041. For the Ulhasnagar spur, ridership is estimated at 1.25 lakh now, 1.22 lakh in 2031, and 1.29 lakh in 2041.
Challenges include acquiring 16,268 sq m of government land and 1,738 sq m of private land, along with environmental impact assessments and other clearances. In discussions with Shiv Sena MLA Shrikant Shinde, MMRDA officials positively received proposals for further extensions: Line 5B from Chikholi in Ambernath to Badlapur, and Line 5C from Durgadi in Kalyan to Titwala. These could enhance connectivity to Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mumbai for residents beyond Kalyan.
