January 28, 2026: Mumbai’s Metro Line 6, also known as the Pink Line, is now likely to begin operations in the second half of 2026, even as uncertainty continues over the construction of its proposed car depot at Kanjurmarg. To prevent further delays, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has opted for an interim maintenance strategy that allows the project to move forward despite unresolved land clearance issues.
Spanning 15.31 km, Metro Line 6 will connect Swami Samarth Nagar in Andheri (West) with Vikhroli, creating a crucial east–west transit corridor across the city. Once operational, the line is expected to substantially ease congestion and improve travel times along one of Mumbai’s busiest commuting stretches.
In the absence of a permanent depot, MMRDA is implementing an unconventional yet functional solution in the form of an elevated eight-lane maintenance corridor. Running parallel to the Eastern Express Highway, the structure will be equipped with pit lines and is currently under construction. This facility is designed to support daily inspections, servicing, and routine maintenance of metro rakes.
Officials said the elevated corridor will include eight pit lines to ensure regular upkeep and safety checks. However, for more extensive periodic overhauls, trains will be shifted to the Mandale depot. According to officials, this interim arrangement will enable Metro Line 6 to commence services without waiting for the completion of the Kanjurmarg depot, a delay that could otherwise stretch into several years.
The depot issue has arisen due to difficulties in securing nearly 15 hectares of land at Kanjurmarg, categorised as salt pan land and still awaiting final government clearance. Officials noted that even after land allotment, building a full-scale depot would require an additional two to three years.
Estimated to cost around Rs 67 billion, Metro Line 6 has encountered multiple setbacks since construction began in 2017. Notably, the original depot site, located near the Eastern Express Highway, is now being repurposed for the elevated maintenance corridor, underscoring the MMRDA’s adaptive approach.
The interim maintenance plan reflects an effort to balance infrastructure limitations with operational deadlines, ensuring that Mumbai’s much-needed east–west metro link is delivered within a practical timeframe.
