Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7 Cleared for Full-Speed Operations, Serving Over 250,000 Daily Riders
Mumbai: The Mumbai Metro’s Yellow Line (2A) and Red Line (7) have been granted approval for full-speed operations by the Chief Commissioner of Rail Safety (CCRS), marking a significant milestone more than 18 months after their initial launch.
A Boost for Urban Mobility
Spanning a combined 35.1 kilometres, the two metro lines collectively serve over 250,000 passengers daily. Since the start of partial operations in April 2022, these lines have recorded a cumulative ridership surpassing ₹15 crore. The Yellow Line connects Dahisar East to Andheri West with 17 stations along its 18.6-kilometre route, while the Red Line stretches 16.5 kilometres between Dahisar East and Gundavali, featuring 13 stations.
Both lines are operated by the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), a subsidiary of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The CCRS certification now allows metro trains to operate at their full design speed of 80 kilometres per hour, up from the temporary limits of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour imposed at certain segments.
Impact of the Speed Upgrade
While this certification marks a crucial step toward operational efficiency, the higher speed limit may have a limited effect on reducing journey times. With stations positioned approximately one kilometre apart, acceleration and deceleration requirements mean the average operational speed—including stops—remains around 35 kilometres per hour.
Leadership Perspectives
Sanjay Mukherjee, the Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, hailed the development, stating, “This milestone reflects MMRDA’s relentless efforts to adhere to the highest safety standards and operational excellence. The removal of speed restrictions and the safety certification by CCRS will enhance the metro experience and help achieve our goal of ‘Mumbai in Minutes.’”
The certification underscores MMRDA’s commitment to creating a seamless and efficient urban transportation system, further reinforcing the vital role of the Mumbai Metro in the city’s evolving mobility landscape.
