Mumbai Metro Line 6 To Start Without Full Depot

Mumbai Metro Line 6, which connects Swami Samarth Nagar with Vikhroli, is likely to commence operations without its full-fledged car shed. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to use a pit-line facility for routine inspection and maintenance of Metro rakes.

The 15.31-km corridor is being developed as a fully elevated Metro line, connecting East-West Mumbai. An elevated pit line is being developed at the Vikhroli end to undertake regular maintenance and safety checks of rakes in the absence of a completed depot.

MMRDA has sought salt pan land in Kanjurmarg for depot construction, a proposal now pending before the union cabinet ministry for final approval. The Maharashtra Housing Department has written to the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, seeking approval for amendments to the CTS numbers and land areas in the transfer proposal for salt pan land linked to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).

The Centre had earlier approved the transfer of 197.4 acres of salt pan land from Arthur and Jenkins Salt Works to the Maharashtra government for the DRP. However, the MMRDA has since requisitioned 22 hectares (54.36 acres) from Arthur Salt Works for a Metro car shed, reducing the area originally earmarked for the redevelopment project.

To retain the total approved area of 197.4 acres, the DRP and project proponent have proposed reallocating land from Shepherd Salt Works and Battiwala Salt Works. The department has also pointed out that joint demarcation found an error in the earlier CTS details, with CTS No. 657 (Kanjur) required to be corrected to CTS No. 657A (Kanjur).

Metro Line 6 is expected to become an important east-west public transport link for Mumbai, connecting the Western Express Highway (WEH) and Eastern Express Highway through Jogeshwari, the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and Powai. The line will have 13 stations, with much of its alignment planned along the median of the JVLR.

The corridor is expected to attract significant ridership as several commercial and office establishments are located along and around the line. The MMRDA's plan to use a temporary maintenance facility will allow the authority to move towards commencing services while work on the full-fledged car shed remains pending.

The commencement of Metro Line 6 services will provide a significant boost to Mumbai's public transport system, connecting the eastern and western suburbs. The line is expected to reduce travel time and increase connectivity between the two suburbs, making it an important addition to the city's transportation network.

In conclusion, the Mumbai Metro Line 6 is expected to commence operations without its full-fledged car shed, with the MMRDA planning to use a temporary maintenance facility. The line will provide a significant boost to the city's public transport system, connecting the eastern and western suburbs and reducing travel time.