India, Sept. 23 -- On Monday, trial runs for the first phase of Mumbai Metro 4A (Gaimukh to Kasarvadavli) and 4 (Kasarvadavli to Wadala via Thane's Teen Hath Naka and Ghatkopar) were flagged off by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Once operational, the metro lines are expected to give a breather to residents of Ghodbunder Road, Thane, who, just last week, held a protest to draw attention to the increasing traffic congestion here.

The 2.88-km Metro line 4A, which is expected to cost Rs.949 crore, and the 35.2-km Metro line 4, pegged at Rs.14,549 crore, are being developed by MMRDA. The latter's first phase of 4.4 km (Gaimukh to Vijay Garden) is scheduled for completion in December 2025. There will be four metr...