Metro Line 12A from Manpada to Taloja cleared, with 12 stations to ease Kalyan-Shilphata jams

Commuters who battle traffic jams every day in Kalyan-Shilphata and surrounding areas have received good news. The 18.4-km Metro Line 12A (Manpada-Kalyanphata-Taloja) has been approved, clearing the way for the project. The route has long been on people's radar. It was possible after Member of Parliament Dr Shrikant Shinde pursued the matter and the state government gave its approval.

The project was formally approved at a meeting of the Cabinet's infrastructure committee. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clearly directed that the ambitious project be completed in the next three and a half years. It will speed up travel between Kalyan-Dombivli and Navi Mumbai.

The project's biggest feature is that a "double-decker", or integrated, transport system will be adopted. Flyovers will be built along with the metro line. The plan includes a 6.93-km four-lane integrated flyover and an 8.69-km six-lane integrated flyover. This will considerably help reduce the travel burden on both the road and the metro at the same time.

According to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) figures, the route will save passengers about 40 to 50 per cent of the time compared with travelling by road. The corridor is expected to carry roughly 4.74 lakh passengers a day.

The entire route will be elevated, with 12 modern stations. They are Manpada, Kate Naka, Growth Centre, Desai Naka, Padle Gaon, Kalyanphata, Golghar Gaon, Dahisar Mori, Dahisar Gaon, Kirawali Gaon, Rohinjan and Khatari Gaon.

The line will also be linked to other routes. It will connect with Metro Line 12 and the bullet train link at Katai Naka. Between Katai Naka and Kalyanphata, it will connect with Metro Line 14, and at Amandoot with Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1. For passengers' convenience, a feeder bus service will be available at all stations.

Other metro projects in Thane district are also moving ahead. The first phase of Metro Line 4, between Gaimukh and Cadbury, is planned to start service this coming December. Metro and tourism development works are said to be set to change the face of the Thane and Kalyan areas in the coming years. These projects will give fresh momentum to the industrial and logistics sectors and create thousands of new opportunities for jobs and business.