Thane, June 16, 2025 — The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has formally taken possession of approximately 174 hectares (about 430 acres) of land in Mogarpada, Thane, to construct what is set to become Mumbai Metro’s largest integrated train depot. The site will service four major metro corridors: Lines 4, 4A, 10, and 11, spanning around 56 km from CSMT to Mira Road.
Strategic and Operational Significance
The depot, awarded to the SEW–VSE joint venture for ₹905–906 crore, is designed to be a centralized hub featuring:
- 64 stabling lines (half reserved for future expansion)
- 10 maintenance workshop lines and 10 inspection lines
- A modern Depot Control Centre, automated train-wash systems, under-floor wheel lathes, a blow-down plant, and catenary-maintenance workshop
- Auxiliary facilities including a substation and staff housing
Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, MMRDA’s Metropolitan Commissioner, stated that the facility will be a “cornerstone in Mumbai’s journey toward a more connected and commuter-centric future” and help ensure “seamless, reliable service across rapidly growing corridors.”
Commuter Impact & Design Benefits
Once operational, the depot will support services on Lines 4 and 4A, which are expected to halve travel time and serve over 1.2 million passengers daily. A unified depot approach is also more cost-effective and was recommended by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to improve logistics and long-term scalability.
Land Acquisition & Farmer Rehabilitation
The land acquisition process faced delays due to resistance from farmers and tenant cultivators. Of the 174 hectares, 22.5% is allocated to leaseholder farmers and 12.5% to encroachers under a CIDCO-style rehabilitation model. Public hearings earlier this year helped finalize 198 offer letters — 167 for leaseholders and 31 for encroachers.
Physical possession of the land was taken on June 13, with district officials and police present to remove remaining objections. The move followed directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the matter and prevent further delays.
Project Timeline & Outlook
Construction of the depot will begin immediately. MMRDA is also working on setting up a temporary facility — a “pit line” — to ensure Metro 4’s trial runs are not delayed.
The Mogarpada depot will become one of the most advanced in India, enabling round-the-clock operations, smooth maintenance, and faster rollout of trains. It’s expected to boost urban connectivity and spur real estate development in Thane and eastern suburbs of Mumbai.
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