Mumbai’s Metro 4 corridor is set to take a significant step forward as trial runs on the 10.5-kilometre Cadbury Junction-Gaimukh stretch commence on Monday. Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) confirmed that the corridor is on track for passenger operations by year-end, offering commuters in Thane faster, reliable, and eco-friendly transit options. This marks a crucial milestone for the city’s ongoing mass rapid transit expansion.
The 32.3-kilometre Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadavali Metro 4 corridor, along with its extension to Gaimukh (Metro 4A), is being developed in phases. The Cadbury Junction-Gaimukh section is nearing operational readiness, with trial runs aimed at validating safety systems, signalling mechanisms, and train performance before public services begin. Officials emphasised that the corridor will enhance connectivity across Thane, reducing travel time and traffic congestion along key arterial roads. In a unique operational move, the trial runs are being initiated without a fully functional depot at Mogharpada. To facilitate this, the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) is temporarily deploying 48 coaches from the Mandale depot of Metro Line 2B. The coaches are being transported on specialised multi-axle trailers across city roads, involving careful navigation of narrow streets, coordination with civic authorities, and comprehensive insurance coverage to protect these high-value assets.
The planned stations on the Cadbury Junction-Gaimukh stretch include Majiwada, Kapurbawdi, Manpada, Tikuji-ni-Wadi, Dongri Pada, Vijay Garden, Kasarvadavali, and Gowniwada. The elevated corridor is expected to significantly improve commuter experience, offering modern, safe, and climate-conscious urban transport aligned with Mumbai’s vision of sustainable mobility. Officials noted that the Mogharpada depot construction contract, valued at Rs 906 crore, has been awarded to a joint venture, with the facility designed to include 64 stabling lines, 10 inspection bays, workshop lines, an operations control centre, and staff amenities. The depot will eventually support both current and future operations, ensuring long-term reliability and efficient fleet management.
The trial runs are not just a technical formality but a test of Mumbai’s expanding urban transit ecosystem. Experts indicate that the corridor will provide a gender-neutral, safe commuting option and is a step toward reducing carbon emissions by encouraging public transport usage over private vehicles. With the MMRDA and MMMOCL meticulously coordinating safety, logistics, and infrastructure upgrades, the Metro 4 corridor is poised to become a model for rapid, sustainable, and commuter-friendly urban transport solutions in the Mumbai metropolitan region.
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