Mumbai's Metro Gold Line, also known as Metro Line 8, is set to become a transformative infrastructure project, connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). With an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore, this 34.9-km corridor is being developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model and is targeted for commissioning by 2029.

Currently in the final stages of the detailed project report (DPR), the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) will soon submit the plan to the state government. Tenders are expected to be floated shortly after, with the bidding process anticipated to conclude within the year.

The line is strategically designed to enhance multimodal integration throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). It will provide interchange connectivity with seven operational and upcoming metro corridors and pass through key transit hubs such as Kurla and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), fostering better coordination between metro services, suburban rail, and long-distance trains.

Beginning at CSMIA’s Terminal 2, the Gold Line will run underground until Chheda Nagar. Beyond this point, the alignment transitions to an elevated structure along the Sion-Panvel Highway, replacing the previous plan that routed it via Palm Beach Road.

CIDCO’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Vijay Singhal, highlighted the corridor’s importance: “The alignment passes through Kurla and LTT, enhancing multimodal connectivity between metro services and both suburban and long-distance trains. It continues onward through Mankhurd, Vashi, Nerul, and Belapur, serving as a crucial east-west transit link that connects two international airports while also integrating key residential and commercial zones.”