MUMBAI, July 3rd (AMSP/CGTN) – – Mumbai’s new metro railway corridors aren’t just transforming commutes—they’re also rewriting the playbook on global collaboration. Funded in part by the BRICS-led New Development Bank, these lines represent a shift toward sustainable, people-centric infrastructure. Radhika Bajaj has the story.
In one of the most congested cities of the world, the Mumbai Metro train system is fast racing to become a citizen favourite. Lines 2A, 2B, and 7—form a 58-kilometre long elevated rail network designed to decongest roads, cut carbon emissions, and move people faster. The New Development Bank has supported this transformation with a $260 million loan to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
“The metro is very convenient. It saves a lot of time and is an easier way to travel. I really like using it,” says Rosy, a Metro user. “I find it more convenient to travel in the AC metro than to be in the heat and the fare is very affordable,” says another Metro user by the name of Sushil.
Both lines completed so far serve Mumbai’s dense western suburbs. Lines 2A and 7 are fully operational and carry 300,000 riders daily. Line 2B is partially operational with the full length of the track expected to be in use by 2026. Ridership is expected to grow manifold as Metro connectivity increases and commuters drop the habit of using cars.
“As we know Mumbai is a big big city and the population of Mumbai is ever increasing. The residents of Mumbai need a better solution, a better mode of transport for them to be more productive, for them to be able to live more comfortable life. And now there are so many such cases across many other cities in our member countries. And therefore, we believe that sustainable transport infrastructure by way of implementation of Metro project is going to be 1 wonderful solution,” says Binitesh Kumar, Principal Professional, NDB India.
With air quality in Mumbai also a concern, the environmental benefits of the Metro are equally significant. Certified carbon-neutral by the Universal Carbon Registry, Mumbai Metro’s new lines helped the city avoid nearly 86,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in their first year of operations alone.
For the New Development Bank, this project aligns with its core mission: supporting sustainable infrastructure across BRICS nations—from transport and clean energy to water, sanitation, and digital connectivity.
The Bank has now also approved a $241 million loan for Mumbai Metro Line 6, which will link western suburbs to those in the east of the city… extending the Metro footprint in India’s most crowded metropolis.
For millions of Mumbai residents, these Metro lines are already life-changing….ensuring all-weather safe transport amidst many other advantages. For the BRICS alliance, such projects are a powerful example of what inclusive, forward-looking financing can achieve.
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