Mumbai Metro Line 6 Faces Delays In Train Procurement

The construction of Mumbai Metro Line 6 (Pink Line), spanning 15.31 kilometers from Swami Samarth Nagar in Lokhandwala to Vikhroli, is making steady progress and is slated for completion by October 2024. However, delays have arisen in procuring trains and constructing the planned car shed at Kanjurmarg, pushing the anticipated public launch to 2026.

The procurement of trains faced a setback when a tender for critical components, including rolling stock, was canceled in October 2023 due to non-compliance with international procurement standards and safety norms. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had to re-tender the project, causing further delays. The MMRDA aims to procure 108 standard-gauge cars (18 rakes with six coaches each) for the Pink Line, with the actual delivery time estimated to be between six to nine months post-finalization of tenders.

Delays in the construction of the car shed at Kanjurmarg stem from the inadequacy of the existing 15-hectare plot. The MMRDA is acquiring an additional seven hectares of land to accommodate the depot's infrastructure, which will include 18 stabling lines, three inspection bays, four workshop bays, a test track, an operations control center, administrative buildings, and staff quarters. Construction is expected to commence soon and take around 30 months to complete.

These delays have pushed the completion timeline of the entire project, including crucial crossings over railway lines, to the end of 2026. Despite the setbacks, Mumbai Metro Line 6 boasts several features, including 13 stations primarily located along the median of Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, interchanges with other metro lines, integrated ticketing systems, elevator and escalator facilities, and improved footpaths with ramps for accessibility, all constructed at a cost of Rs 6,716 crore funded by the National Development Bank.

While progress is evident in the construction of Mumbai Metro Line 6, challenges in train procurement and car shed construction have necessitated a revised timeline for the project's completion.