The ambitious Mumbai Metro Line 11, connecting Anik Depot in Sion to the Gateway of India, has taken a major step forward as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) has submitted its proposal to the central government for approval.

The 17.4-kilometre underground corridor, estimated to cost Rs 234.9 billion, will serve as an extension of the ongoing Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Thane–Kasarvadavali) being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Once completed, Line 11 will become Mumbai’s second fully underground metro line, significantly enhancing connectivity between the eastern suburbs and south Mumbai.

Traversing through some of the city’s most congested and heritage-rich neighbourhoods, the proposed route will cover Wadala, Byculla, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar, Crawford Market, Horniman Circle, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) before terminating at the Gateway of India.

According to MMRCL officials, the route design is nearly complete, and the corporation has sought financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Following the central government’s review of the project’s technical and financial framework, formal approval is expected to be granted.

The Anik Depot in Sion will serve as the car depot for Line 11, featuring a multi-level parking facility integrated with BEST bus services. The design aligns with Mumbai’s broader initiative to redevelop civic transport depots into modernised mobility and commercial hubs.

The new metro will include an interchange at Wadala, offering seamless integration between south Mumbai and the eastern suburbs. The alignment was strategically planned to improve access to areas underserved by existing suburban rail lines and to ease congestion along the city’s major road corridors.

Earlier this festive season, MMRCL floated tenders to appoint an interim consultant for the project. The consultant will be responsible for finalising station layouts, conducting detailed technical and tunnel design studies, planning civil works, and preparing traffic diversion strategies to manage movement during construction.

The Maharashtra government had already approved the project in September 2025, clearing the way for central evaluation. Metro Line 11 will require around 22.7 hectares of land, of which 20.35 hectares belong to the government and 2.36 hectares are privately owned.

Once final approval is received, Metro Line 11 is expected to transform connectivity across south and east Mumbai, providing commuters with faster, cleaner, and more sustainable travel options.