A major milestone was achieved in Mumbai’s urban development as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis officially flagged off the trial run for Metro Line 4A on Monday, September 22, 2025. The Chief Minister announced an ambitious timeline, stating that the complete Metro Line 4 is projected to be fully constructed by the end of 2026 and ready for full operational service by 2027. This vital corridor is anticipated to serve an astounding 2.1 million commuters daily, drastically transforming public transport in the region.
Mr. Fadnavis further highlighted the massive impact of the Metro 4A line alone, expecting it to carry over 1.3 million passengers daily. He expressed the government’s commitment to expediting the opening of all metro lines by the close of the upcoming year. Progress is well underway, with construction already commencing for Metro Lines 4, 10, and 11, facilitated by the availability of land at the Mogharpada depot. This extensive network will ultimately provide a robust 58-kilometer metro connection between Thane and Mumbai.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the key governmental body overseeing infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), spearheaded the trial runs. These crucial tests took place on the Cadbury Junction-Gaimukh section in Thane, marking the completion of the first phase of the expansive Wadala to Kasarvadavali Metro Line 4 corridor.
MMRDA officials confirmed that the 10.5-kilometer Cadbury Junction-Gaimukh stretch, specifically Metro 4A, is slated to become accessible to the public by the end of December, pending necessary clearances. This section forms an integral part of the broader 32.3-kilometer Metro-4 corridor, linking Wadala, Thane, and Kasarvadavali.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lauded the trial run as a “historic” and significant “achievement” for the residents of Thane. He underscored the monumental nature of this development, noting that a metro system is arriving in Thane for the first time since the introduction of railways in 1853 — a gap of 172 years. This new mode of transportation promises to usher in a new era of connectivity for the city.
In his address, Mr. Shinde also reflected on the past, criticizing previous administrations for allegedly overlooking Thane’s needs during the approval of earlier MMR metro projects, particularly during Congressman Prithviraj Chavan’s time as Chief Minister. He recalled protests demanding metro connectivity for Thane and highlighted the progress made during Mr. Fadnavis’ government between 2014 and 2021, when many metro projects received approval. He acknowledged a temporary halt in the project during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)‘s tenure in 2022 but asserted that under his leadership, the project was successfully revived and brought to its current stage.
The Metro Line 4A is designed to operate with six coaches and will include key stops at Majiwada, Kapurbawdi, Manpada, Tikuji-ni-Wadi, Dongri Pada, Vijay Garden, Kasarvadavali, and Gowniwada. Across its entire route, the comprehensive Metro Line 4 will feature a total of 32 stations, enhancing access across the corridor.
Furthermore, Mr. Shinde revealed plans for a strategic loop around Mumbai, which will seamlessly connect Thane to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). He also confirmed the approval of several internal metro lines designed to ensure crucial “last-mile connectivity.” These include new routes linking Kalyan-Dombivali-Bhiwandi, Swami Samarth Nagar to Kanjurmarg, Kapurbawdi to Kalyan, Gaimukh to Mira-Bhayandar, and Wadala to CST, promising an integrated and efficient public transportation system.