The Maharashtra government is set to appoint a consultant to accelerate pre-tender work for Mumbai Metro Line 11, a 17.4-km fully underground corridor linking Anik Depot in Wadala with the Gateway of India. The move aims to prevent administrative delays once project funding is finalised and ensure that construction begins on schedule, according to officials.
Metro Line 11, estimated to cost ₹23,487 crore, is designed to extend the city’s growing underground network further south, connecting dense residential, commercial, and heritage zones. Following the successful completion of the final phase of Metro Line 3, the corridor is expected to create seamless connectivity between North and South Mumbai while easing congestion on existing road networks. An official from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) confirmed that the agency has approached the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for financial assistance. The state government expects final approvals from the central government and loan agreements to be completed by March 2026. Once sanctioned, the consultant will prepare detailed project and tender documentation to align construction timelines with funding milestones.
The proposed route will originate at the Anik Depot near Wadala, pass through the Mumbai Port Trust area, and tunnel beneath some of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods before reaching Colaba and the Gateway of India. Of the 14 proposed stations, 13 will be underground and one at-grade, offering access to key areas including Byculla, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar, Crawford Market, Horniman Circle, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). A unique feature of the project is the integrated depot at Anik. Planned as a multi-use transport hub, it will house a Metro car depot at the lower level and a BEST bus depot above, enabling space optimisation in the dense urban zone. Provisions for future property development above the depot are also being explored as part of the city’s transit-oriented development (TOD) strategy.
Once operational, Line 11 will interconnect with the Green Line 4 at the Aniknagar bus depot, improving east-west and southbound connectivity for suburban commuters. Urban mobility experts suggest that the project could significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai’s central business districts and its eastern neighbourhoods, while promoting a shift from private to public transport. The consultant appointment marks an important administrative step towards building a sustainable, multimodal transit system that balances infrastructure expansion with urban liveability. For Mumbai — a city grappling with space constraints and environmental challenges — such integrated, underground transport projects represent a crucial step toward a resilient and low-carbon urban future.
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