MMRCL Proposes New 17.5km Underground Line 11 for South Mumbai
Mumbai is set to gain another crucial underground metro corridor as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has submitted a proposal for a new 17.5-kilometer Metro Line 11 to the Maharashtra government for approval. This proposed line, an extension of the Green Line, aims to significantly enhance connectivity in South Mumbai by linking Anik Depot to the iconic Gateway of India, traversing some of the city’s most densely populated areas.
The detailed project report outlines that Line 11 will be predominantly underground, with only the Anik Depot station being at ground level. It is designed to pass through vital and busy localities such as Nagpada and Bhendi Bazaar. Like the Aqua Line (Line 3), this new corridor will be crucial for decongesting the southern peninsula, offering faster, underground access to key business districts and heritage zones, complementing existing and upcoming metro lines.
MMRCL projects the new line to serve approximately 580,000 commuters daily by 2031, with ridership expected to increase to nearly 869,000 by 2041. The plan includes operating six-coach trains, and a dedicated depot has been proposed at the Anik–Pratiksha Nagar BEST bus depot, covering 16 hectares, to integrate with existing bus infrastructure. The proposed Line 11 will also intersect with other major transport networks, including Line 4 (Wadala–Ghatkopar–Thane–Kasarvadavli), the Aqua Line (Line 3), the Monorail, and suburban railway stations like Byculla and CSMT.
The construction of the 13 stations along Line 11 will employ two primary methods: eight stations using the cut-and-cover technique and the remaining five utilizing the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), leveraging the natural strength of surrounding rock. This major infrastructure project, once approved by both state and central governments and secured with funding, will significantly bolster Mumbai’s mass transit capabilities, offering sustainable and high-frequency public transport.
