Mumbai Metro rolls out, over 1 lakh commuters take maiden ride

The new mode of transport is expected to provide much-needed relief to the commuters in the bustling metropolis where the overburdened suburban railways ferries 70 lakh people every day.

The company said it will operate 200-250 services a day, carrying around 11 lakh passengers. Every coach can carry 375 passengers, while the entire train can transport 1,500 commuters.

The introduction of Metro services will revolutionise the commuting of Mumbaikars, Chavan said after the launch, which came after a delay of three-and-a-half years from the scheduled time.

“This project was conceptualised in 2006. It had faced several challenges during execution mainly because it is an elevated corridor. It definitely has taken time, but finally we have launched the services. This project is important for a populated city like Mumbai,” he said.

The government has been insisting that all safety measures should be met and that there is no compromise on safety of passengers, Chavan said.