At long last, Thane district and its residents are set to experience their first Metro service, as trial runs for the Mumbai Metro Red Line 9 to Mira Road are now underway.

The overhead electric lines were energised on Saturday, marking a major milestone in the project, and the line is now ready for test operations.

Reports suggest that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will officially inaugurate the trial runs.

For those unfamiliar, the Mumbai Metro Red Line 9 is an extension of the existing Red Line 7, which currently operates between Andheri and Dahisar.

This new extension will connect Andheri (Western Express Highway) to Mira-Bhayandar.

In its first phase, the Metro will operate up to Kashimira, offering a seamless transit route from Andheri. Eventually, the second phase will push the line further to Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium in Bhayandar (West).

The Metro Line 9 is 13.5 kilometres long, and of this, 11.3 kilometres are on elevated tracks. The remaining 2.19 kilometres is underground. Metro Line 9 will open with four stations –

Dahisar

Pandurang Wadi

Miragaon

Kashigaon

When completed, the section will have 10 stations, and the other six stations are Subhash Chandra Bose Stadium, Sai Baba Nagar, Shahid Bhagat Singh Garden, and Meditiya Nagar.

The overhead traction lines have been energised to the live 25,000 volts, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has advised the public to stay clear of the 4.97-km section between Dahisar and Kashigaon, where the trial runs of the trains will take place.

The trials will evaluate all critical components such as train movement, signalling, communication, and safety systems, before it is ready for eventual commissioning for public use.

In the news, Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis, in company with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, inaugurated Phase 2a of Mumbai Metro Line 3 on Friday.

The new route will run between Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli Naka).

Kashimira station is about one and a half kilometres from Mira Road’s Western Railway station and will serve as a vital intermodal intersection.

MMRDA Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee stated that instead of waiting for the whole project to be completed before the section is made operational, it was better to open the completed portions.

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee said,

“We’re prioritizing opening ready sections. This allows us to deliver safe, modern, and sustainable transport quickly,”

“Metro Line 9 reflects our vision of ‘Mumbai in Minutes’—fast, seamless, and reliable connectivity for all.”

he added.

Also Read: Civil Defence Course to Be Introduced in Mumbai University; Govt Plans Major Emergency Response Upgrade

Devotees visiting the famous Siddhivinayak temple were in for a surprise when they learned that the temple authorities had enforced a ban on offerings of coconut, garlands, and Prasad. The move was taken due to increased security threats, considering the volatile situation at the borders with Pakistan.

The Siddhivinayak Temple is located in the Prabhadevi area of Mumbai and is visited by thousands of devotees. The temple authorities have enforced a total ban on offering coconuts, garlands, and Prasad at the temple.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On safety precautions at Shree Siddhivinayak temple, Mandir Trust President Sada Sarvankar says, "… The security at the temple is efficient. Mumbai Police and the trust security are deployed… Extra security steps have been taken considering… pic.twitter.com/LzzgGNFOSN

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2025

The main aim of this initiative is to enhance security at the temple. The action has been taken given the tense conditions prevailing on the international boundary with Pakistan. The temple authorities have stated that the decision was made to ensure the safety of the devotees.

The temple authorities have implemented a slew of measures to ensure better security, including increasing the number of security personnel. The number of CCTV cameras has also been increased for better surveillance.

The move has been welcomed by devotees who felt that more than offering a coconut or garlands, a pure mind and true devotion are required to see God. The move has also not diminished the number of devotees to the temple, and they continue to throng for a darshan of Ganapati Bappa.

Also Read: FIR Against Mumbai Woman Over “Operation Sindoor” Post; Police Call It Provocative

The Maharashtra government has decided to introduce a civil defence course at the Mumbai University to strengthen the state’s emergency response system amid increasing concerns over national security.

The course will be introduced in all engineering colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai and will be a 25-mark course. 

Students will be trained in rescue operations, emergency response and working with agencies like the fire brigade, hospitals and disaster management teams.

“Students who want to serve the nation while studying will now get that opportunity,”

said Prabhat Kumar, Director of Civil Defence.

The movie was finalised through a memorandum signed between the Directorate of Mumbai and the Directorate of Civil Defence.

The decision follows a series of mock drills in Maharashtra, which include 10,000 volunteers of Civil Defence, Home Guard and NDRF in coastal districts and major cities like Pune, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Despite having the sanctioned strength of 420 personnel, currently only 135 employees are active across the state.

Some districts, such as Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, work with just one full-time staff member.

“Civil Defence needs its own ambulances and vehicles during emergencies, but many are in poor condition and near-scrap,”

an official said.

Currently, volunteers receive Rs 150 per day, but a proposal to increase it is offered up to Rs 500, as well as more manpower, siren and training gear requests.

Officials said that the state government is reviewing these demands positively to revive and strengthen the civil defence network.

Also Read: FIR Against Mumbai Woman Over “Operation Sindoor” Post; Police Call It Provocative