Mumbai Metro Line 6 May Begin Services Without Full Depot As MMRDA Plans Temporary Maintenance Facility At Vikhroli

Mumbai Metro Line 6, stretching 15.31 kilometers between Swami Samarth Nagar and Vikhroli, is set to commence operations without its complete depot. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to utilize an elevated pit line facility at Vikhroli for routine maintenance and safety checks, similar to the method being employed for Metro Line 4.

The elevated pit line at Vikhroli will facilitate the maintenance of Metro rakes, with services expected to begin as work on the full-fledged car shed continues. The MMRDA has sought salt pan land in Kanjurmarg for depot construction, a proposal currently awaiting approval from the union cabinet ministry. Meanwhile, a land transfer dispute in Dharavi has led to a reduction in the original salt pan land allocation for the Metro car shed, necessitating the reallocation of land from other sources to retain the approved area.

Metro Line 6 will connect the Western and Eastern Express Highways, providing a crucial east-west transport link for Mumbai. The 13-station line will be fully elevated and offer interchange facilities with several existing Metro lines. The project also includes a 2.58-km combined road flyover and Metro structure linking Swami Samarth Nagar and Mahakali, aimed at reducing travel time between Andheri and the Eastern Express Highway.