October 22, 2025: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) has floated tenders to appoint an interim consultant for the proposed Metro Line 11, a 17.4-kilometre fully underground corridor connecting Anik Depot to the Gateway of India, according to a Mid-Day report. The tender, released on Diwali day, represents a significant step toward expanding Mumbai’s metro network into South Mumbai’s heritage and commercial districts.
Approved by the Maharashtra government, the alignment will pass through the city’s historic core, following routes that once served as tramway and BEST bus corridors — the original public transport arteries of eastern Mumbai. The corridor will comprise 14 stations, with 13 underground and one at-grade station at Anik Depot. The route will traverse Wadala, Mumbai Port Trust area, Sewri, Byculla, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar, Crawford Market, and Colaba, culminating at the Gateway of India, marking the southernmost reach of the metro network.
A standout feature of the project is the proposed integrated depot at Anik, envisioned as a multi-level structure with a Metro car depot below and a BEST bus depot above, along with potential for future commercial development. The interim consultant will oversee alignment finalisation, geotechnical surveys, preliminary design, and tender documentation, while also managing plans for traffic diversion, muck disposal, and rehabilitation during construction.
“This will be Mumbai’s most technically challenging Metro line yet — tunnelling through dense, heritage-rich neighbourhoods beneath century-old structures,” said a senior MMRCL official.
The consultant appointment is expected by early 2026, with construction beginning late 2026 or early 2027. The project will receive funding under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistance and will follow Aqua Line 3 standards, pending final approval from the Union government by March 2026.
Source: Swarajya
