Metro Line 8 to Seamlessly Link Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Airports With 11 Stations Across Major Suburbs

Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are set to witness a major leap in integrated transport connectivity as the state government finalises the alignment of Metro Line 8, a dedicated corridor connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Planned by CIDCO, this high-impact project will, for the first time, create a continuous metro network across multiple Navi Mumbai suburbs while linking two major airports within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

With state approval in place, the alignment marks a critical step in strengthening airport-to-airport mobility and integrating the western and eastern harbour belts into a unified transportation spine. The corridor is expected to reshape commuter movement, reduce surface traffic load, and offer a rapid, predictable, and high-capacity mass-transit alternative.

Now Part of MMRDA’s Expansive Regional Metro Masterplan

Metro Line 8 has been formally included in MMRDA’s 337-km regional metro masterplan, positioning it as a key piece of long-term mobility infrastructure. Initially proposed as a joint venture between MMRDA and CIDCO, the project will now be developed entirely through a public-private partnership (PPP) framework led by CIDCO.

The decision reflects the increasing strategic importance of NMIA, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport, with the first commercial flight scheduled for December 25. As the airport begins shaping travel patterns across the region, metro connectivity is expected to become the backbone of future multimodal access.

11 Stations Planned Within Navi Mumbai’s Transit Network

As per the detailed project report and alignment mapping, the Metro Line 8 corridor will comprise 11 stations located entirely within Navi Mumbai limits. These include: Vashi, Sanpada, Juinagar, Nerul Sector-1, Nerul, Seawoods, Belapur, Sagar Sangam, Targhar/Moha, NMIA West, NMIA Terminal 2 (inside the airport).

The final two stations will lie within the airport campus, ensuring direct and seamless connectivity for passengers and airport staff. This also makes Metro Line 8 one of the few corridors in India designed explicitly to connect two aviation hubs via multiple suburban nodes.

Alignment Through Key Suburbs, Universities and Commercial Zones

The alignment begins at Mankhurd before the track crosses the Vashi Creek bridge. Once inside Navi Mumbai, the metro will run along the Sion–Panvel Highway, passing through Vashi, Sanpada and Juinagar, which are among the busiest suburban clusters in the region.

From LP Junction, the route turns inward toward Nerul, with one major station placed near Dr. D.Y. Patil University, one of Navi Mumbai’s most prominent educational institutions. This inward shift enhances accessibility for thousands of students and staff commuting daily.

Further along, the corridor moves through inner Nerul and Seawoods, including a key stop near Wonders Park, which attracts heavy footfall. After Seawoods, the alignment heads toward Ulwe, passing critical landmarks such as Apollo Hospital and the NMMC Headquarters.

Stations at Sagar Sangam and Targhar/Moha will serve the rapidly developing Ulwe node, which is emerging as a residential and commercial hotspot spurred by NMIA’s presence. From here, the metro enters the airport complex, stopping at NMIA West before terminating at NMIA Terminal 2.

A Corridor Designed to Strengthen Airport-to-Airport Connectivity

The unique feature of Metro Line 8 is its airport-to-airport linkage. CSMIA and NMIA are poised to operate as dual hubs for domestic and international air traffic, and the metro line provides a much-needed rapid transit connection between them. Given the heavy congestion on Mumbai’s arterial roads, the metro’s predictable travel times will offer significant benefits for transit passengers, airline crew movement, cargo coordination, and emergency aviation operations.

The corridor also fits into a broader mobility strategy by supporting long-term growth around Navi Mumbai’s emerging Aerocity, business districts, and educational hubs.

CIDCO Confirms Completion of DPR and Financial Planning
 

CIDCO officials have confirmed that the detailed project report (DPR) for Metro Line 8 has been completed along with financial structuring. The proposal is currently awaiting final approval from the state cabinet.

According to a CIDCO official, “CIDCO has been entrusted with developing this crucial airport-to-airport metro link. The detailed project report and financial planning have been completed, and the proposal has been submitted to the state government for cabinet approval.”

This milestone signals that the project is moving toward execution, pending final governmental clearance.

A Transformational Step for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Metro Line 8 represents far more than a transport link; it is a structural intervention that strengthens economic integration across MMR. By connecting two major airports, educational hubs, corporate districts, emerging residential zones and key suburbs, the metro line is poised to reshape mobility infrastructure for decades to come.

Navi Mumbai’s rapid urban expansion, accelerated by the new airport, demands high-capacity mobility solutions that reduce reliance on roadways. Metro Line 8 answers that need with a design that is forward-looking, commuter-centric and aligned with regional development priorities.

As Mumbai and Navi Mumbai grow into interconnected urban ecosystems, Metro Line 8 stands out as a project capable of bridging the gap, transforming travel efficiency, stimulating real estate growth, and delivering long-term value to millions across the metropolitan region.