Maharashtra government has green-lit Metro Line 8, the Gold Line, aimed at connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The 35-kilometre line is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) Metro Master Plan and is designed to enhance airport connectivity.
The project will be developed using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, despite concerns over the model’s past implementation in Mumbai metro projects. A Government Resolution issued on Monday confirmed the state’s approval, following an initial decision in May 2024. CIDCO has now been appointed as the nodal agency, replacing MMRDA, and has been tasked with preparing a detailed project report.
The new corridor aims to provide smoother travel between the two airports, a crucial feature as NMIA is expected to become operational by mid-2025. Currently, NMIA can be accessed via the Atal Setu, with connectivity set to improve further with the Worli-Sewri connector’s completion.
The decision to use the PPP model has drawn mixed reactions, especially after the financial issues surrounding Metro 1, which was developed on a similar basis over a decade ago.
