CM Prithviraj Chavan and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday hinted that Metro line II would be entirely sub terrestrial and extend up to Dahisar, and a ring route could link the city to Thane.

If everything runs according to plan, the city will soon boast of a total underground Metro ring route which will connect the present and planned Metro corridors in Mumbai with neighboring Thane.

Chavan at the bhoomi pujan for the Metro III corridor yesterday, assured that the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro line II, which has been a non-runner for many years, will be connected up to Dahisar and would be completely subterranean.

 “The reason why line II has remained a hopeless case for so many years is because we have not yet received nod from the MoEF for the construction of car depots.”

A new comprehensive plan was commissioned for line II, which states that it can be constructed underground and can be extended up to Dahisar,” Chavan said. “The projects have been planned in such a manner that they are integrated with the present modes of transport, including local train stations.

“The principal motive behind developing Metro line III was that we wanted to link the three vital business districts in the city – Nariman Point, BKC and Seepz-MIDC. I would also like to request the urban development ministry to clear the pending projects proposals, like those of the Shivaji Statue and the coastal road,” the CM added.

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who was present for the ceremony, said that Mumbai should have a Metro ring route that will connect Mumbai with Thane. “I feel that Mumbai needs a Metro ring route that will help in better connectivity and, so, a project plan should be prepared taking the possibility of connecting the Metro lines in Mumbai with Thane.”

This was viewed as an indication that the Dahisar-Bandra- Mankhurd Metro line II could be connected with the Wadala-Kasarvadavali (Thane) Metro line IV. “We will ensure every sort of cooperation to the state government,” said Naidu.