Mumbai Suburban Railway — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Mumbai Metro is an extensive underground transport network serving the city of Mumbai. The metro has a single operational line of 11.4 kilometres, with three additional lines under construction and three more approved. The system has 12 operational stations and a total of 58 under construction. The existing line has an above-ground station, while the future stations will be underground. The Mumbai Metro, launched in 2014, is relatively new and is expected to be fully operational by 2021. Ticket prices range from 10 ($0.16) to 110 ($1.70) rupees, depending on the distance travelled. The first train of the day departs at 5.20am and the last arrives at 11.46pm.

The system is also known as the Suburban Railway. It serves about 250,000 passengers a day. Fares are set at 0.17. Unfortunately, it does not operate 24 hours a day, but it does have air conditioning. It is not possible to walk between platforms and the trains are not driverless.

There are no screen doors on the platforms. The system operates at an average speed of 33km/h and can reach a maximum speed of 80km/h. It is operated by Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL). Operating hours are from 5:35 to 23:12 from Monday to Sunday. The fare is Rs 5.

Metro Map of Mumbai

Map of Mumbai Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Palma Metro map in PDF format.

Mumbai Metro: A Brief Insight into India’s Bustling City

With a population of over 14 million, Mumbai, also known as Bombay, is the most populous city in India. Located on the west coast of India, Mumbai is the country’s largest commercial port opening onto the Indian Ocean. Rich in history, the city has been under Hindu, Muslim, Portuguese and English rule, resulting in a remarkable architectural mix, with several monuments declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Consisting of two islands connected to the mainland by bridges, Mumbai is home to Bollywood, the world’s largest film industry. Although the main languages in India are English and Hindi, the state of Maharashtra is dominated by Marathi, which is also widely spoken in Mumbai. Other languages such as Gujarati and Urdu are also spoken in the city.

The Mumbai Metro covers a distance of 11.4 kilometres. One of the world’s newest metros, it opened in 2014. Its construction was rapid and the first line is currently operational with all stations above ground. The trains running on this line are manufactured by the Chinese company CSR Nanjing. The carriages are air-conditioned, equipped with LCD screens to display various information and designed with seats facing the wall to maximise standing space. Each train consists of 4 to 8 carriages and can carry around 1000 passengers.

A Glimpse into History

Mumbai is not just a city, it is a metropolitan area. It is served by the Suburban Mumbai Subway, which carries more than seven million people from the outskirts of the city to its business and financial centres. Initially, the transport issue was primarily focused on the suburbs. However, with India’s exponential population growth, urban transport became a necessity.

As a result, in 1990, the Mumbai government undertook several studies to determine the massive transport system to be developed. The Mumbai Metro was born, and its master plan was finalised in 2004. The project was approved to be built in three phases, with one phase completed in 2014 and the rest underway.

Lines and Stations

The Mumbai Metro currently operates on a single line of 11.4 kilometres. This line, known as the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor, connects the eastern suburbs to the western side of the city and crosses the city horizontally. Despite having only one line, this system is the eighth busiest in the world, carrying more than 90 million people on over 300,000 trips in its first year of operation.

All stations are above ground and have three levels connected by at least four escalators per station. The station murals were designed by architecture and art students who won a public competition. The stations have no security doors separating the tunnel from the waiting area.

The twelve stations are Versova, D.N. Nagar, Azad Nagar, Andheri, Western Express Highway, Chakala, Airport Road, Marol Naka, Saki Naka, Asalpha, Jagruti Nagar and Ghatkopar. Andheri and Ghatkopar stations connect the Mumbai Metro with the Western and Harbour lines of the suburban railway. Indian Railways long-distance trains can also be accessed from Andheri station.

Connections with Other Systems

The Mumbai Metro is a sub-unit of the Suburban Mumbai Railway, which connects the city’s rural population to the metropolitan area, which is home to over 20 million people. Understanding the Suburban Mumbai Railway is critical to understanding the Mumbai Metro, as the former primarily serves the entire city while the Metro is still under construction.

Currently, there are two connecting stations on Line 1. The first station, Andheri, connects the Mumbai Metro to the Western and Harbour lines of the Suburban Railway and provides access to Indian Railways’ long-distance trains. The other station, Ghatkopar, connects with the Central line of the Suburban Railway.

Connections to the Airport

A major advantage of the Mumbai Metro Line 1 is its proximity to the airport. The Airport Road station is only a 10-minute drive from the airport, which is convenient for tourists. However, as there is no direct bus service between the station and the airport, a car or taxi will have to be used.

Marol Naka station is also conveniently located near the international terminal, while Western Express Highway station is adjacent to the domestic terminal. In addition to the metro, the airport has a direct link to the western line of the suburban railway. Future metro lines are being planned with multiple stations serving the Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport to provide efficient connectivity across the metro system.

Schedule and Frequency

Schedules in India are not strictly adhered to, making it difficult to find exact arrival and departure times, unlike European trains. However, the opening and closing times of the Mumbai Metro are well defined. The first train departs from Versova station at 5.20am and from Ghatkopar station at 5.29am. The service ends with the last train leaving Versova at 23:20 and Ghatkopar at 23:46.

Train frequency varies from day to day. On weekdays, trains arrive approximately every 4 minutes during peak hours and every 8 minutes during off-peak hours. On Sundays and holidays, the waiting time is usually around 8 minutes. All times are subject to change without notice.

Prices, Tickets, and Cards

The Mumbai Metro fare system is based on the distance travelled between stations. The minimum fare for a journey is 10 rupees ($0.16) and increases by 10 rupees for each station passed. Thus, the full fare for travelling through all twelve stations is 110 rupees ($1.70), making it an affordable option for locals and extremely cheap for tourists.

Passengers can access the metro in two ways. The first is by purchasing a token, which is ideal for passengers who use the metro once or sporadically. Tokens are usually bought for one-way journeys, but can also be bought for return journeys. All tokens expire at the end of the journey.

The other method of access is to purchase a rechargeable smart card for multiple journeys. This card, which costs 50 rupees ($0.78) as a deposit, offers two pricing schemes. The first, the Store Value Pass, allows passengers to load the card with amounts ranging from 100 rupees ($1.55) to 3000 rupees ($46.5), which are then deducted on each trip. The other, the Trip Based Monthly Pass, allows passengers to purchase tickets at a reduced price for the month.

All forms of access can be purchased at any station from a vending machine, which is available in English, Hindi and Marathi, or directly from the ticket office.

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System Rules

The Mumbai Metro has laid down various rules for all passengers to ensure its proper functioning. These rules cover several categories and violations can lead to penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Some of these rules are

Passengers must enter the system with a valid ticket for their entire journey or a smart card with sufficient funds. Tickets or cards must be purchased or topped up before entering the system and presented when leaving. If the fare paid does not cover the distance travelled, the balance will be collected before exit. Passengers may also be asked to show their ticket or card to an operator at any point during their journey.
Oversized baggage is not permitted on the Mumbai Metro. The maximum dimensions of luggage or any type of bag allowed on the train are 60x45x25 centimetres and must not weigh more than 15 kilograms. Passengers with luggage should keep clear of the doors to avoid obstruction. It’s also important to remember that in India, people drive on the left, so passengers should stand on the left side of escalators to allow faster movement on the right.
Pets are not allowed on trains or in stations.
Firearms and toxic substances of any kind are also prohibited.
The Mumbai Metro is a tobacco free zone and smoking is prohibited in any of its facilities.
Eating and drinking are not allowed in any of the facilities to maintain cleanliness.
Seats are reserved for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, so please leave them free.
Travelling on the roof of the train is strictly forbidden and those who do so may be fined and imprisoned.
Vendors selling food or any other goods are not allowed on the Mumbai Metro system, and vendors risk fines for violations.
When the train signals for the doors to close, it is strictly forbidden to obstruct them, either when boarding or leaving the train.

Future Expansions

The future of the Mumbai Metro is currently under construction. The need to create a public urban transport system with closely spaced stations became apparent in the first decade of the 21st century, when plans for the complete system and its timetable were drawn up. The first line, which is currently operational, opened in 2014. The project has been planned in three phases, with completion expected in 2021.

Seven lines are planned for the Mumbai Metro. So far, only Line 1 has been opened, but parts of Line 2, Line 3 and Line 7 are under construction. The rest of Line 2 and Line 4 are in the process of starting construction, while Line 5, Line 6 and the rest of Line 7 have been approved but construction has not yet started.

Line 2 will run from the north-eastern area of Dahisar to the eastern district of Mandale. The first part of the line is expected to open in 2019 and has 17 of the 39 planned stations. This first phase covers a distance of 18.5 km. The other section is awaiting the award of a contract to start construction in October 2017. All stations are planned to be elevated.

Line 3 will be 33.5 km long, running from the financial district of Cuffe Parade in the south of Mumbai to the SEEPZ city in the north. Of its 26 stations, all will be underground, a first for this metro system. The importance of this line lies in the fact that it connects the domestic and international terminals of the Mumbai airport.

Line 7 of the Mumbai Metro is 33.5 km long and has 29 stations, of which 16.5 km are currently under construction. This line combines elevated stations that are under construction with underground stations that have been approved but are not yet under construction. This line will connect the north to the south, from Bhayander East to CSIA T2, the south terminal of the airport.

Tips and Advice

The Mumbai Metro’s boarding and alighting procedures are strict. As the fare system is based on the distance travelled, it’s important to know your destination before boarding or to have enough money on your smart card in case you exceed your intended number of stops.

As with any large urban and suburban transport system, vigilance is required to avoid theft. India is a densely populated country and the Mumbai Metro is often crowded, making theft a common occurrence, despite the Metro’s security system with cameras and guards ready to assist with any security issues.

Not only should wallets and purses be secured, but any luggage or rucksacks should be kept close at all times. Any bag or purse left unattended will arouse suspicion of possible criminal or even terrorist activity and should be reported to the police authorities to prevent any potential harm.

Mumbai’s trains are usually overcrowded during peak hours. If you’re a tourist looking for a quiet journey, it’s advisable to avoid the train system at these times and use other means of transport to enjoy your trip.

Interesting Facts

The Mumbai Metro is the sixth metro system to be built in India, following those in Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Gurgaon. After Mumbai, the Jaipur Metro was opened.

Despite the rapid planning and construction compared to other metro systems, the project has experienced many delays, making the planned completion date of 2021 unlikely.

The Mumbai Metro’s Line 1 cuts the journey time from Versova to Gathkopar by twenty minutes, compared to over an hour by bus or car.

About 97% of the world’s metros use direct current, but the Mumbai Metro uses alternating current, which increased the cost of construction and maintenance.

Although the metro bears the name of the city of Mumbai, the currently operational Line 1 is located in the suburbs, far from the city centre and financial districts.

Views from the Mumbai Metro

At present, the Mumbai Metro may not be the best option for tourists. Line 1 of the system, which is currently operational, connects the northern suburbs of Versova and Gathkopar, which are mainly residential areas for all social classes.

For this reason, tourists who have used the system recommend visiting the metro for its own sake. The stations of Line 1 are above ground and offer a panoramic view of the city of Mumbai. In addition, the beauty of the metro system itself has been widely praised, making it a delightful experience for public transport enthusiasts.

MMRDA’s Master Plan for Mumbai Metro

Phase I (2006-2011)

Line 1: Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar. 11.07 km (Construction started on 8 February 2008)(2010)
This is the first line to be built. It consists of 13 stations through underground tunnels and elevated sections, connecting the centre of Mumbai with its suburbs. The journey time will be reduced to 21 minutes.
Stations: Versova, D.N. Nagar, Azad Nagar, Andheri, Western Express Highway, Chakala, Airport Road, Marol Naka, Saki Naka, Subhash Nagar, Asalpha Road, Ghatkopar.
Line 2: Colaba-Bandra-Charkop. 38.24 Km
This line connects Charkop, Malad, Kasturi Park, Bangur Nagar, Oshiwara, Samartha Nagar, Shastri Nagar, D N Nagar (junction of line 1), ESIC Nagar, JVPD, Juhu, Vile Parle, Nanavati Hospital, Aryasamaj Chowk, Khar, Barat Nagar, National College, Bandra, MMRDA, Income Tax Office, Cmplx Rd, Kurla, Barve Marg, RC Marg, Shivaji Chowk, BSNL and Mankhurd.
Line 3: Bandra-Kurla-Mankhurd. 13.37 km
This line runs 22 metres underground through some of the most congested areas of the country, connecting landmarks such as Mantralaya, Churchgate and Flora Fountain.

Total – 62.68 km

Phase II (2011-2016)