In a significant development, a sprawling 435-acre plot of land in Mogarpada, Thane, is earmarked for the establishment of an integrated metro car shed serving multiple metro lines, specifically Metro Lines 4, 4a, 10, and 11, as well as the coastal road. The combined estimated cost for these four critical metro routes is an impressive Rs 287 billion.

This allocation of land for the car shed marks a substantial milestone for the state government, as it signifies the provision of land for car sheds for nearly eleven metro routes. The only exceptions are Metro Lines 7 and 7A, while the proposed Metro Line 8 (connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport) remains in the planning stages.

On a significant note, the state's urban development department issued a Government Resolution (GR) on a Monday, granting this extensive piece of land to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) responsible for executing these transformative projects. It's worth noting that approximately 29 hectares of land covered by mangroves and another nine hectares allocated to the BMC are excluded from the total 174-hectare area.

What sets this allocation apart is the forward-looking approach to land utilisation. Following the construction of these vital infrastructure projects, the surplus land will not go to waste but will be repurposed for residential and commercial use. The GR designates MMRDA as the special planning authority entrusted with overseeing these new developments.

Challenges do exist in the form of 167 farmers with class II occupancy rights on the land, along with 31 villagers who have encroached upon the land over time. To resolve these issues, eligibility criteria will be determined by the district collector, and MMRDA is committed to providing compensation, which may include the allocation of developed land, aligning with CIDCO guidelines. Any land inhabited by tribals will be addressed through due permissions granted by the collector, as outlined in the GR.

To expedite the construction of the metro car shed, the GR expressly states that the land will be transferred to the MMRDA without any encumbrances. This transfer will eliminate the need for further permissions from the government or the collector for any transactions or deals related to the project. Furthermore, it's explicitly stated that no unearned income will be recovered from the MMRDA, providing a clear pathway for rapid progress on this vital piece of infrastructure.