The Central Government is currently assessing a proposal for the ambitious Mumbai Metro Line 11, a fully underground 17.4-kilometre corridor connecting Anik Depot in Sion to the Gateway of India. The plan, submitted by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), is pegged at an estimated cost of ₹23,487 crore and marks a critical step towards integrating the city’s eastern suburbs with its southern business districts through sustainable urban transit.
Once approved, Metro Line 11 will become Mumbai’s second fully underground metro route after Line 3. It is designed to significantly reduce vehicular congestion, offer smoother last-mile connectivity, and provide a fast, eco-friendly alternative to road transport. Officials said the project will enhance the city’s resilience by easing pressure on its overstretched suburban rail and road networks while encouraging a modal shift to mass rapid transit. The proposed alignment of Line 11 will cover key commercial and heritage zones such as Wadala, Byculla, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar, Crawford Market, Horniman Circle, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Out of 14 stations, 13 will be underground, with the Anik Depot station serving as the only at-grade terminal. The new corridor will seamlessly connect with the existing Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Thane–Kasarvadavali), extending metro access to areas currently underserved by high-capacity transport.
Officials said the Anik Depot in Sion will be transformed into a state-of-the-art multi-modal hub integrating metro services, BEST bus operations, parking zones, and commercial facilities. This initiative aligns with Mumbai’s long-term mobility vision of creating efficient, inclusive, and low-emission public transport infrastructure that promotes sustainable urban growth. The Maharashtra government granted its approval to the Metro Line 11 proposal earlier this year. According to MMRCL’s submission, approximately 22.7 hectares of land will be required for the project, including 20.35 hectares of government-owned property and 2.36 hectares of private land. Authorities are now evaluating land acquisition and resettlement strategies to ensure minimal disruption to communities.
For funding, MMRCL has approached the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has been a long-term partner in Mumbai’s metro expansion programme. Preliminary works including route design, environmental assessments, and tender documentation have commenced. If all clearances proceed as expected, construction could begin by late 2026 or early 2027, with an estimated completion period of five years. Urban transport experts note that Metro Line 11 will play a transformative role in redefining connectivity across Mumbai. It is expected to cut travel times between the city’s eastern residential belts and south Mumbai’s business districts by more than half, reduce dependency on private vehicles, and contribute to the city’s broader goal of achieving carbon-neutral mobility.
The project’s real impact, however, will depend on how well it integrates with existing public transport networks and safeguards the environmental and social fabric of the dense neighbourhoods it traverses. As the proposal awaits central approval, Mumbai stands at the cusp of yet another transformative leap in its urban transport evolution—one that could shape the city’s journey towards becoming a cleaner, more connected, and sustainable metropolis.
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