MMRDA Extends Metro Timings Till Midnight for Ganpati Festival, Adds Extra Services on Lines 2A & 7

Mumbai, August 23, 2025 – In a major relief for commuters during Ganesh Utsav, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced an extension of operational timings on Metro Lines 2A and 7. Starting from August 27 until September 6, 2025, the last trains from Andheri West (Line 2A) and Gundavali (Line 7) will now run until midnight (00:00 hrs), instead of the usual 11:00 pm.

This initiative comes under the leadership of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Shri Eknath Shinde, and Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee. The move aims to ease the movement of lakhs of devotees who travel across Mumbai to visit Ganpati pandals and take part in late-night festivities during the 11-day celebration.

MMRDA stated that additional train services have been added to meet the growing passenger demand during the festival. On weekdays, 317 services will operate, with shorter headways during peak hours. On Saturdays and Sundays too, services have been increased, with trains scheduled to maintain a flat 10-minute interval on Sundays. If passenger demand increases further, additional trains will be deployed.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed that Ganesh Utsav is the soul of Maharashtra, and ensuring safe and reliable transport for the millions of devotees is a top priority. “Metro is the most dependable mode of transport in any weather. By extending the services until midnight, we are offering citizens more flexibility to participate in the festival while promoting our vision for a world-class, modern transport system,” he said.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also highlighted that the initiative reflects the government's commitment to cultural values and passenger convenience. “This decision ensures that Mumbaikars can safely and comfortably travel late into the night to celebrate Ganesh Utsav, especially to their hometowns or favorite pandals,” he added.

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee emphasized that the effort is part of MMRDA’s ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ vision. “This extension will benefit both local and international visitors, allowing them to travel efficiently without being stuck in traffic,” he noted.

Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), Smt. Rubal Agarwal, stated that the festive period sees an enormous rise in footfall, and the extended services will help manage crowd flow and ensure stress-free commuting. “We want every citizen to enjoy Ganesh Utsav without travel worries,” she added.

With this decision, MMRDA reaffirms its commitment to making public transportation not just efficient, but also aligned with the spirit and vibrancy of Mumbai’s cultural festivals.