Metro Line 4 And 4A: MMRDA To Construct Depot in Thane

In a move to advance the Mumbai-Thane Metro network, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) took a few crucial steps. It appointed a contractor for the construction of Mogharpada Depot in Thane. This location will serve as a hub for Metro 4 & 4A lines. It will seamlessly facilitate Mumbai’s transportation by connecting Wadala to Gaimukh with significant stops at Ghatkopar, Mulund, Thane, and Kasarvadavli.

According to an official statement, “The Mogharpada depot construction has been awarded to M/s. SEW-VSE (JV) L1, which submitted the lowest bid of INR 9,05,00,00,000. A variety of necessary facilities, including stabling yards, an operational control centre, administrative buildings, maintenance and workshop structures, an auxiliary substation, staff quarters, and other crucial infrastructure elements, will be housed within this sizable depot, which will cover approximately 42.25 hectares in Mogharpada. The depot will have 64 stabling lines (32 for current use and 32 for expansion), 10 inspection bay lines, and 10 workshop lines, among other things.”

In another developmental update, the MMRDA has given approval to the tender of ballast less fire tracks connecting Mulund Fire Station and Gaimukh Station & Depot. The honour of being in charge of this duty has been given to M/s. Apurvakriti Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., whose bid for INR 121,55,91,349 was accepted. Surprisingly, this cost is 7.29% less than the initial tender value, demonstrating careful financial management.

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, expressed the significance of Mumbai Metro Routes 4 & 4A to connect Mumbai and Thane regions. He stated that this progressive development of Metro routes and the urgency of expeditious construction will give ease to commuters. The sooner the project will be ready it will be better for the residents.

Construction on the depot and the railway track will start at the same time, marking a substantial advancement in the creation of this important transportation infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Metro line in Navi Mumbai is waiting to hear from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Office (CMO) for its inauguration. Despite the CIDCO's (City and Industrial Development Corporation) claims that they would soon begin Navi Mumbai's first Metro line, the project is still not up and running because the planning authority is still awaiting word from the Chief Minister’s Office regarding inauguration plans. CIDCO has been waiting to hear from the CMO for the last two and a half months.

The construction of Metro Line 1 cost INR 2500 crore, and each day of delay is increasing the project's cost. A senior CIDCO official said that everything at their end is ready to function; the ground staff, housekeeping, technicians, and even security guards have been already recruited and they are being paid too. Since the project's inauguration has been delayed, the company is bearing losses.

An official stated that they have been prepared since the end of June. All of the operational preparations have been made, and the metro can run with only a 12-hour notice. The CMO has been told of our readiness; they now need to make a decision regarding the inauguration.

On the other hand, CM Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis promised that the Metro would start operating as soon as it received the CMRS certification during a visit to the site of the Navi Mumbai airport early in June 2023. On June 21, CIDCO declared that it was granted all required certificates and clearances.