The sight of a metro train running on the tracks on Tuesday generated considerable excitement and curiosity among local residents. In the Narpoli area, several people were seen recording videos and taking photographs of the trial run on their mobile phones. Some residents also shared the videos on social media.
For Bhiwandi residents who have been waiting for metro connectivity for a long time, the commencement of trial runs marks an important development in the project.
The Mumbai Metro Line 5 project was planned to address growing traffic congestion and pollution in Bhiwandi and Kalyan in Thane district. Its primary objective is to improve connectivity between these cities and provide commuters with convenient public transport facilities.
However, the project faced considerable delays as construction could not be completed within the originally scheduled timeframe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project on December 19, 2018. At the time, the construction work was targeted for completion by March 1, 2022. However, the deadline was missed.
With trial runs now underway on the first phase, the project has taken another step towards its operational launch.
The Mumbai Metro Line 5 is a 24.90-kilometre elevated corridor with a total of 15 proposed stations. The first phase covers the stretch between Kapurbawdi and Dhamankar Naka, where trial operations have now commenced.
Meanwhile, the tendering process for the construction of the second and third phases has also been initiated, indicating progress towards the development of the remaining sections of the corridor.
Once operational, the metro service is expected to make commuting between Thane, Bhiwandi and Kalyan easier. It is also expected to help reduce pressure on road traffic and provide commuters with a more convenient travel option.
However, the official announcement regarding the final date for the commencement of regular metro services and the operational timetable is still awaited.
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