By MUMBAI, NAVI MUMBAI — Traveling between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai is about to get much faster. On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee officially approved the Metro Line 8, also known as the Gold Line. This massive project will connect the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai directly to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
A High-Speed Connection for the Twin-Airport System
The Metro Line 8 (Gold Line) is designed to be a high-speed “Airport Express” corridor. Currently, traveling between these two airports by road can take anywhere from 90 minutes to over two hours during peak traffic. Once the Gold Line is ready, this travel time will be reduced to just 30 minutes.
Cost and Development
The project is estimated to cost ₹22,862 crore. It is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This means both the government and private companies will work together to fund and build the line. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete the project quickly. The goal is to finish construction within three to three and a half years after the land is acquired.
The Route and Planned Stations
The 35-km Metro corridor will feature a total of 20 stations. It is a unique project because it includes both underground and elevated sections to save space and navigate the crowded city. About 9 km of the track will be underground, stretching from the Mumbai Airport (Terminal 2) to Ghatkopar East. The remaining 24 km will be on an elevated track (above the ground) from Ghatkopar West all the way to the Navi Mumbai Airport as cited in Times of India. Key stations include Terminal 2 of Mumbai airport, Kurla, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Vashi, Nerul, Seawoods, and both terminals of the Navi Mumbai airport.
Why is this Project important?
This metro line is not just for air travellers, it will benefit nearly 9 lakh passengers daily. It will connect with at least six other metro lines and several suburban railways stations. This makes it easier for people living in suburbs like Chembur, Vashi and Nerul to reach their workplaces or the airport without getting stuck in traffic. The trains on the Gold Line will be faster than regular metro trains, with a top speed of around 90 km/h to 110 km/h. Because there are fewer stops compared to other lines, it will act as a “fast-track” for the city.
Maharashtra has approved the 35-km Metro Line 8 (Gold Line) to connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with Navi Mumbai International Airport. The ₹22,862 crore airport express corridor will cut travel time between the two hubs to 30 minutes. Featuring 20 stations with underground and elevated sections, the project will boost regional connectivity and benefit nearly 9 lakh daily passengers.
