Mumbai Metro Plans Two-Level Mega Depots For Multiple Lines To Increase Rake Capacity Amid Land Constraint Woes

As Mumbai endeavors to improve its public transport system through the ongoing development of an extensive metro network, it confronts the persistent challenge of land scarcity for corridor development and, car depots — that requires large plots of land.

To tackle this issue, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed the creation of two-level parking spaces for metro rakes.

The first of these depots is currently being constructed at Mandale, Mankhurd, and similar plans are in place for Kanjurmarg and Kasheli.

The Mandale depot will serve the elevated metro Line-2B. Kanjurmarg serves Line-6, which connects Swami Samarth Nagar in Andheri West to Vikhroli.

Further, Kasheli serves Line-5 on the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan line and Line-12 between Kalyan and Taloja.

According to government officials, the two-layered parking system will provide double the space and increase the holding capacity.

Depots have been identified where the construction of two-level parking spaces is feasible. This allows for future expansion of the fleet when the demand increases, as stated by an MMRDA official.

Currently, metro trains run at intervals of 7-8 minutes. However, once sufficient parking space is provided, the frequency is expected to decrease to 2-4 minutes, aligning with the operational standards of metro networks worldwide.

Mandale Depot

The first elevated and largest depot in the city, located at Mandale, will serve the 26.3-kilometre-long elevated Metro Line 2B — connecting DN Nagar to Mandale.

This line will significantly enhance connectivity between the western suburbs and the eastern corner of the city.

Spanning over 30.44 hectares, the depot will consist of two levels, with the capacity to accommodate 72 rakes.

In addition to the main depot with the stabling lines, the depot will also have technical and service buildings to monitor the operations of the Metro line.

Stabling lines are running lines, where empty trains are stabled on arrival awaiting their turn, to be shunted away to the 'washing lines' and from there to the carriage and wagon examination pit lines.

The MMRDA has successfully acquired the land at Mandale, and 75 per cent of the civil work has been completed for the under-construction depot.

Tracking the progress, the development of the 'Stabling Casting Yard Phase 1' is almost complete, reaching 96 per cent, while 'Stabling Casting Yard Phase 2’ is 36 per cent finished.

Kanjurmarg Depot

The initial steps have been taken towards the construction of the proposed Kanjurmarg depot for Metro-6 — which will cover an area of 15 hectares.

The Line-6 will run between Swami Samarth Nagar-Jogeshwari-Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg.

The plot has been a subject of dispute for four years due to conflicting claims of land ownership by multiple government and private entities.

However, as per recent reports, the construction process of the depot has now progressed following a recent dispute with the Salt Commissioner's office, which claimed ownership of the land.

MMRDA has started surveying and marking the boundaries of the land. According to an MMRDA official, the area will be gradually fenced off.

The construction of metro depot will potentially ensure the completion of the corridor. The overall Metro Line-6 is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 6,700 crore, with a target to complete in next couple of years.

According to the HT report, a MMRDA official stated, “We can carry forward such a plan in places where the initial works are in progress. We are working out the modalities of other depots as well where land acquisition is underway,”

For instance, land is not available with MMRDA to develop the proposed depot at Kasheli village.

However, according to sources, acquisition is under progress, which will be completed soon.

On the other hand, land for the proposed depot at Mogharpada, Thane district, is not available yet and procedure to acquire the same is underway.