In a significant achievement for Mumbai’s growing metro network, a breakthrough was made on Thursday with the completion of a 1.647 km underground tunnel for the Metro Line-7A. This breakthrough was made by the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named Disha, which completed the tunnel between Andheri (East) and the city airport, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s metro expansion.
The momentous event took place near Bamanwada in Andheri (East) and was witnessed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with key officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This milestone marks the completion of the first-ever underground tunnel in Mumbai’s metro network, a major feat for the MMRDA.
The tunnel, with a diameter of 6.35 meters, is part of the extension of Metro Line-7, which originally connects Dahisar (East) to Andheri (East). The new segment will connect Andheri (East) to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), enhancing connectivity to one of the busiest airports in the country and providing an interchange option for other metro lines.
The MMRDA hailed this achievement as an “engineering marvel” and a “monumental milestone.” The breakthrough is part of the 3.4 km-long Metro Line-7A, which includes both elevated and underground sections. The underground section of the metro corridor will run parallel to the Western Express Highway and the Sahar Elevated Road, offering commuters a seamless travel experience.
The excavation for the underground tunnel began in September 2023, and this latest milestone signifies the project’s progress toward completion. The Metro Line-7A alignment aims to provide smoother transit options for residents, workers, and travelers in Mumbai, as it connects key parts of the city with enhanced ease.
In addition to the success of Metro Line-7A, the MMRDA also announced that trials have begun for the Mandale to Diamond Garden section of Metro Line-2B, covering the stretch between DN Nagar in the western suburbs and Mandale in the eastern suburbs. This further solidifies MMRDA’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize Mumbai’s metro infrastructure.