The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has issued an e-tender worth ₹8.28 crore (ex‑GST) to transport metro cars and machinery for Lines 4 and 4A, indicating imminent trial operations on the eastern corridor—following successful tests on Lines 2B and 9.
Spanning 32.3 km from Wadala to Kasarvadavali with 30 elevated stations, Metro Line 4 is designed to knit together key transit zones—Eastern Express Highway, Central Railway, Monorail, and forthcoming corridors like 2B, 5, 6. The 2.7 km Line 4A extension to Gaimukh adds two extra stations, deepening connectivity into Thane. The tender, open until 30 July 2025, includes a ₹16.56 lakh deposit and spans 24–36 months. Officials highlight that transporting both commissioned and uncommissioned metro coaches is the final link before trial runs on these routes can commence. “By launching trial runs on this key stretch, MMRDA is not just testing infrastructure—it’s accelerating Mumbai’s transformation into a more connected and accessible city,” said a senior official.
A major technical milestone was recently achieved with the overnight installation of eight massive 97.9 t U-girders at Kapurbawdi station—a crucial interchange with Metro Line 5—secured in just eight hours, paving the way for Line 4 trials before year-end. Phase-wise opening of these extensions promises transformative effects. Estimated to cut travel times by 50–75% across eastern suburbs, the network is expected to reshape daily commuting, facilitate intermodal transfers, and support gender-neutral, equitable mobility . A ₹4,788 crore multi-modal integration initiative is also underway, enhancing last‑mile links around 32 stations.
Despite infrastructure progress, challenges persist. The Mogharpada depot in Thane has been delayed due to land disputes involving 167 residents. Though eviction orders from the Chief Minister are in force, MMRDA may proceed with a temporary pit-line to avoid trial postponements. Complementing the tender, a ₹249 crore contract for automatic fare systems has been awarded. MMRDA’s strategy now hinges on linking rolling stock delivery, signalling, fare collection, depot readiness, and infrastructure commissioning to meet trial targets.
Local activists and urban planners view the expansion as vital. “A robust eastern corridor ensures equitable access for women, shift‑workers and students,” said a transport planner involved with the project. Trials allow for crucial adjustment of public engagement, staff training, and safety drills before public rollout. Economists note that line extension delivers socio‑economic value by easing road congestion and pollutant load. Successful feeder integration, akin to models in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, is key to attracting commuters away from private vehicles.
Critics caution that unresolved depot land issues could delay the full network and strain trial operations. However, many see the tender as a concrete move—signalling progress and political will to strengthen metro’s eastern spine. The tender deadline on 30 July will determine vendor selection and project timing. If schedules adhere, Mumbai’s Metro Lines 4 and 4A could undergo phased trial runs later this year, marking a pivot in eastern urban transit that aligns with sustainable-city ambitions.
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