Maharashtra Clears Airport Metro Link

Metro Line 8 to connect Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports in 35 minutes

January 27, 2026: The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved Metro Line 8, also known as the Gold Line, a major infrastructure project that will directly connect Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The high-speed metro corridor is expected to cut travel time between the two airports to around 30–35 minutes, a significant reduction from the current road journey that often exceeds 90 minutes due to traffic congestion.

The proposed Metro Line 8 will span nearly 35 km and include a mix of underground and elevated sections. It will start from CSMIA Terminal 2 and end at Navi Mumbai International Airport, with around 20 stations along the route. About 9 km of the corridor will run underground up to Ghatkopar East, after which the line will continue on an elevated alignment towards Navi Mumbai. The project is designed as a dedicated airport-to-airport link, offering fast, reliable, and congestion-free connectivity.

Officials have been directed to complete land acquisition and statutory clearances within six months, with construction targeted for completion within three years. Beyond airport passengers, the Gold Line is expected to benefit daily commuters through integration with Mumbai and Navi Mumbai’s wider metro network. The project is seen as a key pillar of the region’s twin-airport strategy, easing congestion, supporting economic growth, and significantly improving urban mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.