Mumbai, Nov 18: After a long wait of nine years, the first metro line in Navi Mumbai finally became operative yesterday. With chief minister Eknath Shinde having taken the decision, the first service on Line 1 was flagged off at 3 pm, jointly by vice-chairman and managing director of City & Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the nodal agency which has planned and overseen the Metro services in Navi Mumbai.
Expected to go a long way in enhancing transportation services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the 11.10 km stretch between CBD Belapur and Pendhar from 6am to 10pm.
The route has 11 stations, with the depot located at Taloja Panchanand. The stations covered are Belapur Terminal, RBI Colony, Belpada, Utsav Chowk, Kendriya Vihar, Kharghar Village, Central Park, Pethpada, Amandoot, Petali-Taloja and Pendhar.
The metro will have all the services like parking spaces, ramps for disabled passengers, footpaths, spaces for auto rickshaws, provision of diesel generators for uninterrupted power, passenger announcement system, CCTV and other facilities.
The ticket rates range from Rs 10-Rs 40 depending on the distance.

The public reaction to the metro has been overwhelmingly positive. Many travelers have expressed relief at finally having a reliable public transportation option.
As one of the first women metro drivers in Navi Mumbai, Aditi Padyar who piloted the first service, exuded excitement about the inauguration and her role in shaping the city’s transportation landscape. She described her training experience as rigorous and rewarding, preparing her to navigate the metro system with precision and expertise.
While speaking to Spice Enquirer, Aditi added, “It’s an honor to be a part of this groundbreaking project. Operating the metro is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I’m committed to providing passengers with a safe, efficient, and comfortable journey.”
“This is a dream come true for Navi Mumbai residents. We have been waiting for this metro for so long, and it’s finally here. It’s going to make our lives so much easier,”said Mukesh , a government employee.
Another said, “I’m so happy that I can finally take the metro to work. It’s going to save me so much time and stress.”
“I am delighted to see the Navi Mumbai metro finally in operation, but prices might is to high for 11 kms comparatively to local trains”said 75-year-old retired teacher Asha Kulkarni.
“The metro is a great way to avoid traffic jams. It’s so much faster and more relaxing than driving.” – Priya from Taloja.
“I’m glad that the metro has made it easier for me to get to work. I used to spend hours in traffic every day, but now I can get there in just a few minutes,” said Anil from Police Line colony.
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