In a major step toward extending Mumbai’s underground Metro network into the city’s dense and historic core, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) on Diwali day (Monday) floated tenders to appoint an interim consultant for the proposed Metro Line 11 — a 17.4-km fully underground corridor from Anik Depot to Gateway of India. The alignment is expected to mirror parts of the old tramway and BEST bus corridors that once defined east Mumbai’s transport spine, with an integrated depot at Anik.
The multi-crore project — detailed in MMRCL’s latest Request For Proposal (RFP) and approved by the Maharashtra government — will weave through some of Mumbai’s most congested and heritage-sensitive neighbourhoods. The proposed line will have 14 stations (13 underground and one at-grade), connecting the city’s eastern edge from Wadala to Colaba via Byculla, Nagpada, and Bhendi Bazaar.
According to the documents, the alignment will start at Anik Depot near Wadala, pass through the Mumbai Port Trust area, and tunnel beneath the old inner-city precincts before surfacing near Gateway of India — marking the southernmost reach of Mumbai’s metro network.
Integrated depot at Anik
A key feature of the project is the integrated depot at Anik — a multi-level facility combining a Metro car depot at the lower levels and a BEST bus depot above, with scope for future property development on top. The design proposes “vertical stacking” to optimise land use in Mumbai’s tightly packed eastern industrial belt.
The interim consultant will finalise the alignment and station locations, conduct geotechnical and condition surveys, prepare preliminary tunnel and station designs, and draft civil tender packages. They will also plan traffic diversions, muck disposal, and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) strategies — crucial for construction through the crowded island city.
The project will follow MMRCL’s Aqua Line 3 standards, adhering to Indian and international safety and design codes, with approvals routed through the Ministry of Railways. Once completed, Line 11 will take the Metro deep into the city’s heritage and commercial heart — linking eastern suburban commuters and the Green Line 4 corridor directly to Fort and Gateway of India, areas currently reachable only via congested surface roads.
“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.
Timeline
MMRCL aims to appoint the interim consultant by early 2026, allowing preparatory work to progress alongside JICA loan negotiations. Full-fledged construction is expected to begin by late 2026 or early 2027, following final government approvals.
Line 11 highlights
Length: 17.4 km (fully underground except one at-grade terminal at Anik Depot)
Stations: 14 (13 underground + 1 at-grade)
Route: Anik Depot — Wadala — MbPA area — Sewri — Byculla — Nagpada — Bhendi Bazaar — Crawford Market — Colaba — Gateway of India
Implementing agency: MMRCL
Funding: Proposed under JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) assistance
Expected GoI approval: March 2026
