Mumbai Metro-1: How City's 1st Line Became Centrepoint Of Smooth East-West Travel Over 11 Years

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Mumbai Metro Blue Line: What is the route of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Mumbai Metro-1? Is it connected to other Metros? How and where? What is ticket fare? Explained
Mumbai Metro Line 1: Mumbai Metro Line 1 or Metro One, the city's first east-west corridor, completed 11 years of operation this July.
The 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor has transported over 111 crore passengers, as of July. 'On its 11-year run, Mumbai Metro One has made more than 12.66 lakh train journeys…," operator Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) said.
Ghatkopar has seen almost 30 crore travellers, Andheri 23 crore and Saki Naka 11 crore since its launch.
The Mumbai Metro-1 Blue Line started operations on June 8, 2014, with inauguration by then CM Prithviraj Chavan. It is said to have the eighth highest passenger density of any metro line in the world. There are a total of 64 curves on the line, with the steepest curve being 107 metres (351 ft). It was built at a cost of Rs 2,356 crore.
Metro One was designed as an alternative to the roads and railways on public-private-partnership (PPP) between Reliance Infrastructure and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
Metro One offsets over 67,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, an impact comparable to planting over 3 million trees. The line has also been recognised with over 40 prestigious awards for its service, innovation, and environmental contributions, according to MMOPL.
On this Children's Day, young adventurers boarded the Metro and had a ride full of laughter and wonder! 🚇✨ #ChildrensDay #MetroFun #HappyRides #LittleExplorers #KidsOnTheMetro #JoyfulJourneys#ChildhoodAdventures #MetroMagic #HappyLittleTravellers #MetroJoy … pic.twitter.com/1G3VmdK0Xd — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) November 15, 2024
Mumbai Metro-1: How many trains does it operate?
Week-day ridership: 500,000 (highest 5.47 lakh)
Train trips operated: 12,66,973 (more than 1.2 million)
Cumulative kilometres covered: 1,45,21,256
What are Mumbai Metro-1 timings?
First Train: 5:30 AM from both Versova and Ghatkopar.
Last Train: 11:25 PM from Versova and 11:50 PM from Ghatkopar.
What is the frequency of Mumbai Metro-1?
Around 4 minutes during peak hours with 444 trips. Around 8 minutes during non-peak hours.
11th Foundation Day of Mumbai Metro One 🎉Towards greater achievements, stronger connections, and continuous success!Here's to the journey so far — and the exciting path ahead. 🚇💙 #MMO11Years #FoundationDay #UrbanMobility #StrongerTogether #MetroAnniversary #ConnectingMumbai … pic.twitter.com/qecDamP949 — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) June 8, 2025
Mumbai Metro-1: What is the route? What are the stations?
Mumbai Metro-1 provides connectivity between the eastern and western suburbs to Western & Central Railway.
It has 12 stations – Versova, DN Nagar, Azad Nagar, Andheri, Western Express Highway, Chakala (J B Nagar), Airport Road, Marol Naka, Saki Naka, Asalpha, Jagruti Nagar, Ghatkopar.
It facilitates smooth and efficient interchange between suburban rail system and Metro trains at Andheri and Ghatkopar Stations.
How has Metro-1 helped Mumbai?
It has reduced the journey time from 71 minutes to 21 minutes, between Versova and Ghatkopar.
Provides rail-based access to the MIDC, SEEPZ and commercial developments.
Is Metro-1 connected to other Metro lines?
Metro-1 connects to other Metro lines. Here's how:
Line 2A (Dahisar East to DN Nagar): At D N Nagar
Line 7 (Dahisar East to Andheri East, which runs along the Western Express Highway from Dahisar to Gundavali): At Western Express Highway
Is it easy to switch lines from Metro-1?
Remember you need to exit one line and buy a separate ticket or tap your NCMC smart card for the next line. Here's how easy the switch is:
1. DN Nagar (Line 1)-Andheri West (Line 2A): There's a covered connector / skywalk linking DN Nagar station (Line 1) directly to Andheri West station (Line 2A). Commuters exit Line 1, cross the skywalk, and enter Line 2A platform at the other end—no street crossing needed. The walk is short and sheltered, typically under 5 minutes.
2. Western Express Highway (Line 1)-Gundavali (Line 7): These stations are connected by a 58 metre foot overbridge (FOB) built by MMRDA, linking the two platforms directly. Walking distance is about 58 metres, so roughly 1 minute for most people.
3. Marol Naka (Line 1)-Line 3 (Aqua Line): At Marol Naka, Line 1 (elevated) and Line 3 (underground) serve the same location but do not share a direct internal connector. You must exit one station, walk externally on footpaths, and enter the other station separately. This walk is around 500 metres, about 5–7 minutes depending on crowd and path condition. Path quality can vary—some say footpaths may be narrow or uneven, especially around major roads.
Why Metro-1 matters in office journey in all directions: From Ghatkopar, Dahisar or Borivli to BKC or Worli
Metro-1 is a key connector in your journey from Ghatkopar or Mumbai suburbs, Dahisar or Borivli East to Worli.
Ghatkopar to Worli: Taking a local Central Railway train, you can get off at Ghatkopar station. It is interconnected to the Ghatkopar Metro station. For those coming from Western Railway or the harbour line, the interchange is at LIC Andheri. If your office is in Andheri or Versova, the Metro line takes you directly to the spot. If you want to go to Worli, from Marol Naka (Metro-1), you can go to BKC or Worli using Metro-3. If your destination is Dahisar, you need to get off at Western Express Highway (Metro-1), walk for five minutes to reach Metro 7.
Dahisar East to Worli: Take Metro-7 and get off at Gundavli. Change over to Metro-1's (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) Western Express Highway station. It is a five-minute walk between Metro 7 and Metro-1 through a 58-metre foot overbridge. Using Metro-1, travel towards Ghatkopar and get off at Marol Naka. Change over to the underground Metro-3 which will take you to BKC or further to Worli.
Coming from an area in the vicinity of Dahisar, you can board Metro-7 at any of these stations: Dahisar East, Ovaripada, National Park, Devipada, Magathane, Poisar, Akurli, Kurar, Dindoshi, Aarey, Goregaon E (Interconnect Mumbai Metro-6: Pink Line), Jogeshwari E, Shankarwadi, and Gundavali (Earlier Andheri East, Interconnect Mumbai Metro-1 — Blue Line and Mumbai Metro: 7A – Red Line). Metro 7A is the southern extension of the operational Metro Line 7 from Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East).
Borivli West to Worli: Take Metro-2A from Borivali West and get off at Andheri West. Change over to Metro-1's DN Nagar station. Using Metro-1, travel towards Ghatkopar and get off at Marol Naka. Change over to the underground Metro-3 and head to BKC or further to Worli.
Stations on Metro 2A are — Dahisar (East), Anand Nagar, Kandarpada, Mandapeshwar-I C Colony, Eksar, Borivali (West), Pahadi Eksar, Kandivali (West), Dahanukarwadi, Valnai, Malad (West), Lower Malad, Pahadi Goregaon, Goregaon (West), Oshiwara, Lower Oshiwara, Andheri (West).
Once Metro-3 is connected to Colaba, the journey will become even smoother.
🚇 तुम्ही सुरळीत प्रवास करण्यास तयार आहात का? 🎫📲 मुंबई मेट्रो वनच्या व्हॉट्सॲप तिकीटामुळे तुम्हाला लांब रांगेत उभे राहण्याची गरज नाही. कुठूनही तुमचे डिजिटल तिकीट बुक करा. हे खूप सोपे आहे. तुमच्या सोयीसाठी तिकीट फक्त एका क्लिकच्या अंतरावर आहे!🌟 #WhatsAppTicketing #EasyTravel … pic.twitter.com/PijfiCpUt9 — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) December 20, 2023
How can you get tickets for Mumbai Metro-1?
There are various options:
1. Paytm App: Tickets are mobile QR codes; no need for physical smart cards. Payment via UPI, cards, etc., within Paytm.
2. At the station: Single Journey Ticket (SJT) or Return Journey Ticket (RJT) available. Token/Vending Machines (TVMs/AVMs): Accept cash, UPI, debit/credit cards at stations. Ticket Selling Officers (TSO): Counters also issue paper QR tickets for single or return trips.
3. WhatsApp Ticketing (Line 1 support): Line 1 also supports WhatsApp-based ticket purchases. Send 'Hi" to [phone] for a ticket link and QR code.
4. All automatic fare collection (AFC) gates on Line 1 stations have been upgraded to accept NCMC-compliant cards, alongside the older closed-loop metro cards. You can now tap a single Mumbai 1 card at entry and exit gates for travel on Metro Line 1.
Points to remember while buying tickets
QR tickets (single or return journey) expire within the same operational business day and cannot be refunded or canceled once issued
The 'Mumbai 1' app presently supports Line 2A and 7 only and does not support booking for Line 1; Paytm remains the go-to app for Line 1 bookings.
What are the fares for Mumbai Metro-1?
In case of line 1, fare range is Rs 10-40.
Is Mumbai Metro-1 connected to other public transport?
Bus: Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses serve all Metro-1 stations, offering last-mile connectivity across Andheri, Juhu, Ghatkopar, Sakinaka, and Kurla areas. Major stations like Andheri, Western Express Highway (WEH), Ghatkopar, and Saki Naka have dedicated bus stops or depots nearby.
Common BEST routes near Metro-1 stations include:
202, 254, 340, 371, 375 (Ghatkopar area)
186, 340, 392, 496 (Andheri area)
419, 433, 472, 505 (Sakinaka and Marol areas)
Railway:
Andheri Station (Western Line): Walkable via skywalk to Andheri Metro station.
Ghatkopar Station (Central Line): Connected via elevated walkway to Ghatkopar Metro.
These are the two primary rail-to-metro interchanges on Line 1 and are among the busiest.
Autorickshaws and taxis: Auto rickshaw stands are available at almost all Metro-1 stations. Prepaid taxi counters are available at Andheri and Ghatkopar.
App-based cab pick-up zones (Uber, Ola) are common but can be congested during peak hours.
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Will Metro-1 be connected to upcoming/planned lines?
Line 2B (Extension of Line 2A): It runs from DN Nagar (Line 1's terminal) further east toward Mandale. While Line 2B starts from DN Nagar, passengers on Line 1 will continue changing at DN Nagar itself—a built interchange. No new physical connector is planned; existing interchange facility will suffice.
Line 6 (Pink Line): Connects Jogeshwari-Vikhroli; intersects with Line 1 only indirectly—no direct interchange is planned at this time.
Line 3 (Aqua Line): Already connects at Marol Naka.
Line 4 / 4A / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14: These future lines fall under Metro 4 and its extensions (Lines 10 & 11), Metro 5/12, Metro 7/9, and other corridors. At Ghatkopar, Line 1 meets Line 4.
Line 11 (Wadala-CSMT) would intersect Metro 4, but no integration with Line 1 is part of that plan as of now.
Line 8 (Gold Line Airport Express): This airport-to-airport line (CSMIA Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai International Airport) is approved. No direct interchange with Line 1 is planned for now.
About the Author
Manjiri Joshi
At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More
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Location :
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First Published:
July 28, 2025, 17:25 IST
News cities » mumbai-news Mumbai Metro-1: How City's 1st Line Became Centrepoint Of Smooth East-West Travel Over 11 Years
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