Mumbai: Metro Line 2B’s Mandale–Diamond Garden Section Still Shut Despite Safety Nod; Delay After CMRS Clearance Draws Criticism

Mumbai, 29th November 2025: A month after securing the mandatory safety certificate from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), the Mandale–Diamond Garden stretch of Mumbai Metro Line 2B is yet to open for public use. The prolonged wait—reportedly due to the state government’s inability to decide on a launch date—has left regular commuters questioning the rationale behind the delay.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is constructing the 23-km Andheri West–Mandale Metro 2B corridor with 22 stations, completed the 5.6-km Mandale–Diamond Garden portion earlier this year. Authorities had initially earmarked October 8 for the inauguration, aligning it with the opening of the Navi Mumbai International Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, the CMRS approval did not come in time for the event, compelling the government to abandon the scheduled launch. Although the safety clearance arrived shortly afterward, the alternate inauguration date, scheduled for the end of October, also fell through for undisclosed reasons.

Despite being technically and operationally ready, the line remains closed—with residents alleging that the delay is not technical but political. They claim the government is waiting for a prominent leader’s availability before announcing the opening.

Usually, metro corridors are commissioned within a few days of receiving CMRS certification. In this case, the gap has stretched beyond a month with no firm indication from authorities about when services will begin. MMRDA officials have declined to comment on the postponed launch.

One of the local residents Mankhurd criticised the continued wait, noting that the unopened line could already have been easing traffic pressure. “The infrastructure is ready. This route can cut travel time drastically and reduce the load on buses and local trains. There’s no need to wait for a VIP to inaugurate it. Open it for the public right away,” he said.

Once commissioned, the Mandale–Diamond Garden segment is expected to offer much faster connectivity and help decongest major routes in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs. For now, however, commuters continue to wait while the completed line sits idle.