INDIA: The first phase of Mumbai metro Line 1 was officially opened on June 8, when Maharastra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan flagged off the first service from Versova.
The 11·4 km east-west line runs on an elevated alignment between Ghatkopar and Versova with 12 stations. Interchanges with suburban lines are provided at Andheri and Ghatkopar; interchanges are planned with the future metro Line 2 at D N Nagar and Line 3 at Marol Naka.
Construction on India’s first PPP metro project began in February 2008. A 35-year build-operate-own-transfer concession was awarded to Mumbai Metro One, a joint venture of Reliance Infrastructure, Veolia Transport and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
Services run from 05.30 to midnight with 4 min peak headways and services every 8 min off-peak. End-to-end journey time is 20 min.
A fleet of 16 air-conditioned four-car trainsets has been built in China by CSR Nanjing. Each trainset has a capacity of 1 500 passengers and includes seats reserved for women, elderly and disabled passengers. The line is electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz and there is one depot at D N Nagar.
Earlier this year it was announced that naming rights for the 12 stations are to be auctioned.
