The Bombay High Court has partly upheld an arbitral award in favour of Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), directing the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to pay approximately Rs 516 crore along with interest. The ruling marks a significant development in the prolonged dispute concerning the Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar Metro corridor.
MMOPL, which operates the metro line, is a joint venture between Reliance Infrastructure-backed entities holding a 74% stake and MMRDA, with the remaining 26% shareholding.
The disagreement between the two partners has spanned several years and centred on matters such as project expenditure, fare structure, viability gap funding, and obligations outlined in the concession agreement. In August 2023, a three-member arbitral tribunal largely ruled in favour of Mumbai Metro One, awarding Rs 992 crore plus interest, stating that the amount was payable by MMRDA under the contract. The authority subsequently challenged the decision under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Earlier legal proceedings saw the High Court, on June 10, 2025, direct MMRDA to deposit the entire award amount of nearly Rs 1,169 crore, including accrued interest up to May 31, 2025, with the court registry by July 15, 2025. MMRDA then moved the Supreme Court of India through a Special Leave Petition contesting the order. In July 2025, the apex court instructed MMRDA to deposit 50 per cent of the awarded sum.
In its latest regulatory disclosure dated February 26, 2026, Reliance Infrastructure stated that the High Court, in a judgement delivered on February 24, partially sustained the arbitral award. The court further ordered that, following calculation, the payable amount from the deposited funds be released to MMOPL after eight weeks. “Subject to reconciliation in accordance with the judgement, the estimated amount to be received by MMOPL is Rs 516 crore plus interest from the date of the award dated August 29, 2023,” Reliance Infrastructure said in the filing.
“MMOPL is reviewing the judgement and will take further steps based on legal advice,” it added.
Source: Financial Express
