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

Mumbai: The proposed Metro Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar-Vikhroli) is likely to commence operations without its full-fledged car shed, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) planning to use a pit-line facility for routine inspection and maintenance of Metro rakes, similar to the arrangement being adopted for Metro Line 4. This Metro 6 has completed significant work.

15.31-Km Corridor Connects East-West Mumbai

The 15.31-km corridor, which will connect Swami Samarth Nagar with Vikhroli on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), is being developed as a fully elevated Metro line. According to MMRDA officials, an elevated pit line is being developed at the Vikhroli end to undertake regular maintenance and safety checks of rakes in the absence of a completed depot. The arrangement will allow the authority to move towards commencing services while work on the full-fledged car shed remains pending.

MMRDA has sought salt pan land in Kanjurmarg for depot construction a proposal now pending before the union cabinet ministry for final approval.

Metro Depot Land Linked To Dharavi Project

Meanwhile, On March 12, 2026, the Maharashtra Housing Department wrote to the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), seeking approval for amendments to the CTS numbers and land areas in the transfer proposal for salt pan land linked to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The letter stated that the Centre had earlier approved the transfer of 197.4 acres of salt pan land from Arthur and Jenkins Salt Works to the Maharashtra government for the DRP. However, the MMRDA has since requisitioned 22 hectares (54.36 acres) from Arthur Salt Works for a Metro car shed, reducing the area originally earmarked for the redevelopment project. To retain the total approved area of 197.4 acres, the DRP and project proponent have proposed reallocating land from Shepherd Salt Works and Battiwala Salt Works. The department also pointed out that joint demarcation found an error in the earlier CTS details, with CTS No. 657 (Kanjur) required to be corrected to CTS No. 657A (Kanjur). Accordingly, a fresh consolidated proposal for transfer of the entire 197.4 acres was submitted to DPIIT, with the department requesting that the revised application be processed at the earliest to facilitate land transfer in line with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project timelines and the Metro car shed requirement.

Key link between Western and Eastern highways

Metro Line 6 is expected to become an important east-west public transport link for Mumbai, connecting the Western Express Highway (WEH) and Eastern Express Highway through Jogeshwari, the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and Powai.

The line will have 13 stations, with much of its alignment planned along the median of the JVLR. Officials expect the corridor to attract significant ridership as several commercial and office establishments are located along and around the route.

One of its biggest advantages will be its integration with existing Metro corridors. Metro Line 6 will provide interchange facilities with Metro Line 2A at Adarsh Nagar, Metro Line 7 at JVLR, and Metro Line 3 at Aarey Depot.

An interchange with Metro Line 4 at Gandhi Nagar will also take place. However, this connection will become operational only after the relevant portion of Metro Line 4 is completed and commissioned.

Pit line to support operations

With the depot not ready, the elevated pit line at the Vikhroli end will play a crucial role in supporting initial operations. The facility will enable routine inspections and maintenance of rakes, particularly equipment located underneath the trains.

The approach is similar to the operational arrangement planned for Metro Line 4, where services are also being advanced with the help of a pit-line facility while the main car shed is yet to be completed.

First metro in Mumbai having combined Rd flyover and Metro

As part of the project, a 2.58-km combined road flyover and Metro structure is also under construction between Swami Samarth Nagar and Mahakali in Andheri East on JVLR. The structure will run on the same single piers along the road median and is being developed in coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Metro Line 6 at a glance

Route: Swami Samarth Nagar–Vikhroli (EEH)

Length: 15.31 km

Stations: 13

Alignment: Fully elevated

Key corridors: Jogeshwari, WEH, JVLR, Powai

Interchanges: Line 2A, Line 7, Line 3 and Line 4

Interchange points: Adarsh Nagar, JVLR, Aarey Depot and Gandhi Nagar

Interim maintenance facility: Elevated pit line at Vikhroli end

Expected travel-time saving: 30–45 minutes between Andheri and EEH

Additional infrastructure: 2.58-km combined road flyover-Metro structure between Swami Samarth Nagar and Mahakali

To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/