Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is accelerating its efforts to transform urban mobility, with significant progress on key metro infrastructure, especially in resolving depot-related hurdles.
In a recent interaction at the Free Press Journal office, MMRDA’s Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, widely regarded as one of Maharashtra’s most dynamic IAS officers, shared updates on the region’s metro expansion, environmental concerns and innovative solutions for operational challenges.
Dr. Mukherjee Speaks On Metro Depots
Dr. Mukherjee, the driving force behind transformative infrastructure such as the Mumbai Metro network, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and new urban townships, acknowledged that depot construction remains a critical and often contentious issue for metro projects. “Depots are the backbone of any metro operation. Without them, rakes can't be serviced or stabled, directly affecting commissioning timelines,” he explained.
Among the recent breakthroughs is the resolution of long-standing disputes at Mogharpada and Dongri. “We’ve now secured full possession of both sites and commenced work,” he confirmed. These milestones mark a turning point for the expansion of several metro corridors.
Kanjurmarg Remains As A Challenge
However, the situation at Kanjurmarg remains complicated due to legal and jurisdictional conflicts. While MMRDA is exploring solutions, progress at this site is expected to be slow in the near term.
To mitigate such challenges, MMRDA has adopted flexible operational measures such as rescue sidings, an approach used in global metro systems like London. “These sidings allow partial operations even without a full-fledged depot. Today’s trains are low-maintenance and can be serviced in open environments,” Dr. Mukherjee noted, stressing how innovation is helping maintain project timelines.
Mandale Depot Ready, Awaits Inauguration
Meanwhile, the Mandale depot is complete and awaiting formal inauguration by the Chief Minister. This facility is vital to the Western corridor and will significantly boost the metro’s operational readiness.
Addressing environmental concerns, Dr. Mukherjee stressed the metro's long-term ecological benefits. “All our stations are green-certified. Metro systems reduce traffic congestion and emissions drastically,” he said. On the issue of tree cutting, he highlighted MMRDA’s commitment to transplantation and compensatory plantations, acknowledging the challenge of land scarcity in Mumbai while exploring urban greening alternatives.
