Mumbai’s ambitious Metro 4 corridor, spanning 32 kilometres between Gaimukh in Thane and Wadala in Mumbai, is set to become the city’s first metro line to commence operations without a dedicated depot. In an unprecedented move, authorities have decided to deploy idle rakes from the under-construction Metro 2B line at Mandale depot for trial runs and system integration on Metro 4, sidestepping delays at the Mogharpada depot originally intended for this corridor. This logistical improvisation underscores both the urgency to deliver critical urban infrastructure and the complexities of executing large-scale projects in a densely populated metropolis.
The decision to proceed without a depot is a direct response to construction delays at Mogharpada, which was slated to serve both Metro 4 and its extension, Metro 4A. Officials confirm that waiting for the depot’s completion would have pushed the project’s commissioning timeline further, potentially delaying much-needed relief for commuters on the congested Eastern Express Highway. By leveraging underutilised rakes from Metro 2B, the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) aims to keep trial runs and system testing on track, ensuring that the corridor can open to the public as soon as possible.
Transporting the rakes—eight six-coach trains, or 48 coaches in total—from Mandale to the Metro 4 viaduct between Gaimukh and Cadbury Junction is no small feat. Since the two corridors are not physically connected, each 40-tonne coach will be hauled over city roads using hydraulic multi-axle trailers, a operation planned mostly at night to minimise disruption. The ₹8.28-crore tender for this complex logistical exercise covers not just transportation but also potential dismantling, loading, unloading, securing permissions, transit insurance, and safe delivery, with the contract period extendable up to 36 months depending on when Mogharpada depot becomes operational.
This workaround is a first for Mumbai’s metro network, reflecting both the city’s pressing need for expanded transit options and the challenges of coordinating multiple infrastructure projects in parallel. Experts note that while such measures are not ideal, they demonstrate a pragmatic approach to keeping large-scale public investments on schedule. The authorities are also exploring temporary inspection facilities beyond Gaimukh station, where basic trial runs can be conducted on elevated tracks, further evidence of the project’s adaptive planning.
The decision to repurpose Metro 2B rakes—currently lying idle as their own corridor remains under construction—highlights a broader issue of resource optimisation in urban infrastructure. With Metro 2B not expected to open for another year or two, this interim arrangement ensures that expensive assets do not remain underutilised, while accelerating the benefits of Metro 4 for the public. Once operational, Metro 4 is projected to significantly ease congestion on the Eastern Express Highway and provide a faster, more reliable alternative to the overburdened suburban rail network, particularly for commuters travelling between Mumbai and Thane. From a sustainability perspective, the move raises questions about the carbon footprint of transporting heavy metro coaches by road, as well as the long-term plan for integrating these rakes back into Metro 2B once that line is ready. Officials have not detailed the environmental impact assessment of this logistical operation, but the broader Metro 4 project is being designed with high ridership and energy efficiency in mind, aligning with Mumbai’s aspirations for greener, more equitable urban mobility.
The Metro 4 corridor itself is a critical piece of Mumbai’s multimodal transport puzzle, promising to connect eastern suburbs with the island city and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Its success could set a precedent for other Indian cities grappling with similar infrastructure bottlenecks and depot delays. However, the current workaround also underscores the importance of synchronised planning and execution across multiple metro lines to avoid such stopgap measures in the future. For Mumbai’s commuters, the imminent launch of Metro 4—even without a dedicated depot—represents a tangible step toward a more connected, less congested city. Yet, the unusual circumstances of its rollout serve as a reminder that the path to sustainable, zero-carbon urban transit is fraught with logistical, financial, and environmental challenges.
As the city watches these coaches trundle through its streets by night, the hope is that the end result—a modern, efficient metro line—will justify the means, and that lessons learned will inform smarter, more integrated infrastructure development in the years to come.
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