Work on key Thane-Bhiwandi Metro 70 per cent complete

The second phase of the line will connect Bhiwandi to Kalyan

Construction on one of the most awaited and key routes of the Mumbai Metro beyond Thane connecting Bhiwandi in phase one, and subsequently Kalyan in phase two, called Orange Line Metro 5, has now gathered pace. At least 50 per cent work on the creek bridge for this line is complete and overall 64 per cent of station work has already been done.

The total cost of phase one and two is estimated at Rs 8,416.51 crore. "Work is currently on in the first phase of a 12.7 km stretch between Thane and Bhiwandi of Orange Line 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan). It will have a total of six fully upgraded stations and 64 per cent construction of stations in this phase has been completed, totaling 70 per cent physical progress," a senior MMRDA official said.

Construction on the 550-meter-long bridge for Orange line 5 over the creek at Kasheli

"The most interesting part of this phase of the project is the 550-meter-long bridge over the creek at Kasheli. A total of 13 spans will be constructed using the segmental box girder method for the metro bridge, and at present, the construction of eight spans has been completed. Each of these spans are about 42 m in length," he added.

Also Read: Improve services beyond Virar: Palghar MP to Western Railway general manager

The first phase of Orange Line 5 includes Kapurbawdi (integrated station of Metro 4 and 5), Balkum Naka, Kasheli, Kalher, Purna, Anjurphata and Dhamankar Naka (Bhiwandi) stations. The first phase will provide connectivity between Thane and Bhiwandi, and give citizens a new and eco-friendly mode of transport. It will also reduce burden on public transport systems like suburban railways and BEST/TMC bus services.

"There is an underground section that needs to be executed. We are trying to complete the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan corridor by 2025. The site for the centralized depot at Kasheli for Metro line 5 has been fixed and land acquisition and tendering process is on. Special steel girder spans will be installed for the railway over bridge at Anjurphata, the work will start soon," MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner S.V.R. Srinivas said. The Orange line 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan) is a 24.90km long elevated corridor with 15 stations.