Mumbai Metro Line 5, connecting Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan, has been delayed by three years, pushing its completion deadline to 31 March 2025. Originally scheduled to be completed by 1 March 2022, the project has faced multiple setbacks, as revealed by an RTI (Right to Information) query filed by activist Anil Galgali. The RTI response from the Metro Project Implementation Branch exposed shortcomings in project management by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), highlighting delays and inefficiencies in execution.
According to the RTI findings, the contract for the construction of the 24.9 km elevated corridor was awarded to Afcons Infrastructure on 1 September 2019. The metro line will have 15 stations and is a crucial transport link designed to improve connectivity between Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan. It is also set to interconnect with Metro Line 4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali) and the proposed Metro Line 12 (Kalyan-Taloja), providing seamless integration with the Central Railway network. Once operational, the metro is expected to reduce travel time by 50% to 75%, benefiting daily commuters, commercial workers, and government employees.
Despite the three-year delay, the estimated project cost remains unchanged at ₹898.19 crore. However, the penalty imposed on the contractors for the delay has been a mere ₹20.88 lakh, raising concerns about accountability. The project has faced several obstacles, including land acquisition issues and design changes. A key reason for the delay was the decision to make a 3 km stretch in Bhiwandi underground to protect 735 buildings along the route. This change, approved in June 2023, added complexity to the construction process, further slowing down progress.
As of now, work on Phase 1 (Thane to Bhiwandi) is in its final stages, while Phase 2 (Bhiwandi to Kalyan) is still in the planning stage, with tenders yet to be finalised. Commuters in these regions continue to face transportation challenges, as the lack of metro connectivity forces them to rely on overcrowded local trains and road transport. With repeated delays and no immediate solution in sight, residents are growing increasingly frustrated.
