June 16, 2025: In a significant step forward for Mumbai’s metro infrastructure, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured approximately 430 acres of land in Mogarpada, Thane district. This expansive parcel is earmarked for the development of the city’s largest integrated metro depot.
The strategically important facility will serve as the operational and maintenance hub for four key metro lines — 4, 4A, 10, and 11 — spanning nearly 56 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Mira Road. According to The Economic Times, once operational, metro lines 4 and 4A alone are expected to halve current commute times and serve up to 1.2 million passengers daily.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the acquisition as a “landmark development,” stating it accelerates the vision of a sustainable, multimodal transport network for “New Maharashtra.”
To ensure equitable development, MMRDA has adopted a farmer-centric rehabilitation model, drawing from CIDCO’s land acquisition principles. Affected landholders will receive developed plots as compensation — leaseholders 22.5% of their original land area, and encroachers 12.5%. A master plan includes 18-metre-wide main access roads and 12-metre internal roads, with a 36-month timeline for delivery.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised the initiative’s transparent, inclusive approach. Public consultations held earlier in 2025 helped address farmers’ concerns, resulting in 198 offer letters being issued.
MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee highlighted the vital role of local cooperation, noting that “trust and transparency” were central to the land transfer process, which followed a 2023 government resolution. The depot’s integrated layout, recommended by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, aims to streamline operations and support Mumbai’s expanding urban mobility network.
The project is poised to be a transformative catalyst for growth in the eastern suburbs and Thane region.
Source: ET NOW
