News Brief
MMRDA Drops Uttan-Dongri Metro 9 Depot Plan After Local Protests, To Use Charkop Facility Instead
A metro depot (Representative Image)
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has dropped its plan to build a car depot for Metro 9 at Uttan-Dongri following strong opposition from residents, officials confirmed on Tuesday (4 November), the Hindustan Times reported.
The authority is now redrawing its strategy for the 11.38-km Dahisar East–Mira Bhayandar corridor.
Under the revised plan, Metro 9 rakes will be stationed at the Charkop car depot, which currently services Metro lines 2A (Dahisar East–Andheri West) and 7 (Dahisar East–Gundavali).
“Respecting the public sentiments and their opposition to the car depot, we have decided not to proceed with the creation of a metro car depot at Uttan-Dongri,” a senior MMRDA official was quoted as saying by HT.
“We have almost finalised an alternative plan on car depots for the multiple metro routes that are ready and in the works,” the official added.
The decision follows months of protests by residents of Uttan and neighbouring villages who objected to the felling of over 11,000 trees for the proposed depot.
On World Environment Day (5 June), the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation had approved the removal of 1,406 trees, sparking demonstrations.
However, the new site also met resistance from locals, citing ecological and livelihood concerns.
Sharmila Bagaji, an Uttan resident and former councillor, said, “If the government is shelving the plans, it brings a big relief to us, and it is the collective people’s efforts that have been heard.”
The Rs 733-crore depot contract awarded to a Rithwik Projects–Soma Enterprise joint venture will now be terminated.
Trial runs for Metro 9 will continue using the Charkop depot.
The Maharashtra government plans to launch passenger operations on a section of Metro 9 by December, starting with the Dahisar East–Kashigaon stretch. The remaining portion of the corridor is expected to become operational within the next year.
