Mumbai’s long-awaited Metro Line 11 project has inched closer to execution, with the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) submitting its detailed proposal to the central government for approval. Estimated to cost ₹23,487 crore, the 17.4-km fully underground corridor will connect Anik Depot in Sion to the Gateway of India, reshaping mobility between the eastern suburbs and South Mumbai.
The corridor, envisioned as an extension of Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Thane–Kasarvadavali), will become the city’s second entirely underground route. It is designed to traverse some of Mumbai’s most densely built-up areas, including Wadala, Byculla, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar, Crawford Market, Horniman Circle, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The alignment aims to provide commuters from eastern Mumbai a direct, faster, and environmentally sustainable alternative to road travel — reducing dependence on private vehicles and easing congestion. According to officials, the design and feasibility studies for the line are nearly complete. The project is expected to receive part-financing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has supported several earlier metro phases. Once the Centre reviews and approves the proposal, tenders for civil works and construction packages are expected to be floated soon.
The line’s terminus at Anik Depot will serve as a major interchange hub. Plans include a multi-level depot integrating metro and BEST bus operations, along with provision for electric bus parking and maintenance facilities. Officials indicated that such co-location of mass transit and public bus services is part of Mumbai’s broader strategy to develop intermodal connectivity and reduce carbon emissions. Metro Line 11 is expected to play a transformative role in improving east-west and north-south linkages across the city. It will offer interchanges at Wadala, enabling seamless transfers with other metro corridors and suburban rail networks. Urban transport planners believe the line could significantly cut travel time from Sion to South Mumbai, making public transport more attractive and reducing vehicular emissions in high-density zones.
The Maharashtra government granted in-principle approval for the project in September, paving the way for technical evaluations and consultant appointments. MMRCL has since invited bids to appoint an interim consultant for detailed project design, including tunnel planning, station architecture, and environmental assessments. The consultant will also oversee land acquisition, rehabilitation of affected households, and manage traffic diversion plans during construction. The project will require about 22.7 hectares of land, with 20.35 hectares belonging to government departments and 2.36 hectares under private ownership. Officials emphasised that efforts are underway to ensure fair compensation and minimal disruption to residents and local businesses.
If approved by the Centre, Metro Line 11 could become a crucial link in Mumbai’s integrated metro network, extending sustainable mobility deeper into the heritage and commercial heart of the city. The project is not merely a step toward easing congestion — it marks a shift toward creating a cleaner, more accessible, and environmentally resilient Mumbai.
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