Mumbai’s Metro network is moving a step closer to seamless suburban connectivity as the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL)
prepares to integrate Metro Line 7 with the soon-to-be-launched Line 9 Phase-I corridor. To carry out critical system checks and ensure commuter safety, Metro Lines 2A (Dahisar East-Andheri West) and 7 (Gundavali-Ovaripada) will run on a temporary schedule from October 12 to October 18, 2025.This temporary change will allow engineers and safety experts to conduct final integration and Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) testing between the existing Line 7 and the upcoming Line 9 section from Dahisar East to Kashi Gaon. The exercise is part of the final preparation for the much-anticipated Red Line extension,
designed to connect Andheri to Mira Bhayander through a smooth and direct corridor.
Currently, Line 7 operates between Gundavali and Ovaripada, covering 13 stations. Line 9, which extends the Red Line further north, is expected to transform travel patterns across western suburbs by reducing dependence on road transport and cutting commute times drastically. Once the trials conclude successfully, commuters will be able to travel seamlessly from Gundavali to Mira Gaon, enhancing access to business districts, residential hubs, and public amenities along the route.
The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) had already carried out an inspection of Line 9 Phase-I on September 23, 2025, marking one of the last regulatory milestones before commissioning. Officials say these ongoing trials will help validate signalling systems, track alignments, communication interfaces, and traction operations to ensure safe and efficient service integration.
During the seven-day integration period, services on Lines 2A and 7 will begin later than usual. Instead of the standard 5:25 am start, trains will operate from around 7:00 am. For example, the first train from Dahanukarwadi to Gundavali will depart at 7:01 am on weekdays, while the first train from Dahisar East to Andheri West will start at 7:02 am. Passengers can access the detailed schedule on the Mumbai 1 App, official MMMOCL social media platforms, and station display boards.
Authorities have urged passengers to plan their travel accordingly and cooperate with operational staff during this crucial testing phase. According to officials, the integration trials represent a major step towards a fully interconnected Metro system in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The Line 9 extension is seen as a game-changer for western suburbs, particularly for residents of Mira Road, Bhayander, and Dahisar, who often face long road commutes due to traffic congestion on the Western Express Highway. Once commissioned, the corridor will not only ease pressure on road networks but also help reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable urban mobility.
With the trials now entering their final stage, Mumbai’s Metro expansion is inching closer to fulfilling the city’s long-standing dream of a reliable, high-capacity public transport system. For lakhs of daily commuters, the countdown to smoother, faster, and greener travel across the western suburbs has truly begun.