Mumbai: As the much-anticipated Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 nears full operation this August, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has already begun laying the groundwork for the city’s next major underground metro line. The agency submitted a proposal for Metro Line 11, an extension of the Green Line, to the Maharashtra government for initial approval. The proposed line will start from Wadala and go up to CSMT.
Proposed Metro To Pass Through Nagpada & Bhendi Bazaar
According to a Hindustan Times report citing the detailed project report (DPR) submitted by MMRCL, the proposed Line 11 will span 17.5 km, running from Anik Depot in eastern Mumbai to the historic Gateway of India in the south. This route will pass through key, densely populated areas such as Nagpada and Bhendi Bazaar. Much like the Aqua Line, Line 11 will be predominantly underground, with Anik Depot being the only ground-level station. This corridor is expected to majorly boost connectivity across South Mumbai.
Stages Of Approval Before Work Kickstarts
A senior MMRCL official explained that the proposal is currently under review by the state’s Urban Development Department (UDD). Once cleared by the UDD, it will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Urban Development for central approval. The project’s feasibility study and DPR are key components of this approval process. Once sanctioned, the next steps will include acquiring environmental and statutory clearances and seeking financial backing from domestic or international agencies.
The plan outlines the initial use of six-coach metro trains. A new depot has been proposed at the existing BEST Anik–Pratiksha Nagar bus depot, covering 16 hectares. This will allow seamless integration of the metro with the existing bus infrastructure.
Importantly, Line 11 is set to intersect with multiple major transport networks, including Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Thane–Kasarvadavli), the Aqua Line, the Monorail and key suburban railway stations like Byculla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Details On Metro Station Construction For Line 11
Of the 13 stations along Line 11, eight will be built using the cut-and-cover method, a process involving trench excavation followed by tunnel construction and surface restoration. The remaining five stations will be developed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a technique that utilises the strength of surrounding rock to support tunnel formation, especially suitable for congested urban areas.
The MMRCL estimates the line will serve approximately 5,80,000 commuters daily by 2031, with ridership expected to grow to nearly 8,69,000 by 2041. Specific timelines regarding tendering, project execution and completion will be outlined once the project gains final approvals from both state and central authorities.
