PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Metro project lines in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to lay the foundation stone for Metro 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan) and Metro 9 (Dahisar-Mira Bhayander) on December 18 along with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He will also launch a housing scheme for 60,000 affordable homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (Cidco) in Kalyan. On the same day, PM will move to Pune for the launch of Metro-corridors in the city.

Notably, Metro 5 and Metro 9 will give a boost to connectivity in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The 24 km long Metro 5 line will have 17 stations with an expected ridership of 2.29 lakh passengers by 2021.

Metro 9 will provide interconnectivity between Western Express Highway, Western Railway, Metro 2A (Dahisar to DN nagar) and Metro 7 between Andheri (E) and Dahisar (E).

Earlier this year, the state government accorded the status of a Special Planning Authority (SPA) with an aim to speed up these lines. SPA allows the agency, the freedom to create the required infrastructure for the projects in the area without seeking permission from other agencies.

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