Mumbai, Oct. 14 -- Work on Metro Line 2, which will connect Mumbai's eastern and western suburbs, is progressing steadily, according to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials. Divided into two segments, Line 2A and Line 2B, the corridor is being opened in phases. Line 2A, connecting Dahisar to DN Nagar in Andheri West, is already operational. Line 2B, which extends from DN Nagar to Mandale in Mankhurd, is currently under construction, with trial runs underway on its first phase-a 5.3-km stretch between Mandale and Diamond Garden in Chembur. This phase is expected to become operational by December. MMRDA plans to open the second phase, from DN Nagar to Saraswat Nagar in Khar, by next summer. This would leave only the central stretch between Saraswat Nagar and Diamond Garden pending. Once complete, the 23.6-km Line 2B corridor, with 20 stations, will offer crucial east-west metro connection in the city, after Metro 1 (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar). The pace of work in the western suburbs is proceeding at a steady pace, according to MMRDA officials aware of developments. "We are aiming to make phase 2 operational till Saraswat Nagar, which would connect to line 2A at DN Nagar by summer next year. The middle portion of this metro line will take more time, so we can certainly operate this corridor in phases," said an official. Stations likely to be opened under phase 2 include ESIC Nagar, Prem Nagar, Indira Nagar, Nanavati Hospital, Khira Nagar, and Saraswat Nagar, covering congested areas along Link Road and SV Road. After this, the central section would remain, covering nine stations across Bandra (West), BKC, Kurla, and Chembur. Residents of Chembur are eagerly awaiting the launch. "The stretch under phase 1 should have been longer for it to be helpful to commuters who want to switch to metro rail. Every day, we see the empty metro rakes running on trial, but we are not sure when it will be operational," said Chembur resident Rajkumar Sharma....