The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is reportedly considering scrapping its proposed Metro Line 9 car shed at Uttan as residents mobilize against the felling of nearly 12,000 trees in the project area. The 59.7‑hectare depot, intended to host about 40 stabling lines for train maintenance, has become the flashpoint of a growing controversy that could reshape the future of the line’s operations.
Background & Context
Metro Line 9, a 23‑km stretch connecting Dahisar East to Mira‑Bhayandar, was inaugurated with a foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. Construction began in September 2019, and the first phase—a 4.5‑km elevated corridor—is slated to open for passengers by December. Central to the line’s viability is a dedicated car shed that would store, test, and maintain the fleet. In August, the MMRDA awarded a Rs 701‑crore contract to a joint venture of Rithwik and Soma for a depot at Dongri, close to Uttan.
However, the plan clashes with a densely vegetated suburb where approximately 12,000 trees were slated for removal. The proposal was born from an original site over Morva, Raimurdhe, and Murdhe villages, much of which was earmarked as residential and no‑development zones. Residents, environmentalists and local activists have highlighted the ecological and social ramifications of cutting such a mass of mature trees—a claim that has intensified under mounting public scrutiny.
Key Developments
- Contract Awarded: MMRDA commissioned the Rs 701‑crore depot contract to a joint venture of Rithwik and Soma, envisioning a facility that would support both Line 9 and the existing Line 7A.
- Tree‑Cutting Allegations: Activists dispute the contractor’s tree survey, asserting that satellite imagery from 2013 shows mature vegetation—some trees older than 15 years—while the official report labeled them as 4‑6 years old. The discrepancy is said to have eroded necessary compensatory plantation fees to the Mira‑Bhayandar Municipal Corporation.
- Protests: In June, thousands formed a human chain outside the MMDRA office, demanding cessation of the felling. The protests have attracted media attention and prompted calls for environmental impact assessments.
- Alternative Proposals: A senior MMRDA official hinted at utilizing existing depots at Mandale and Charkop. The Mandale depot—spanning 72 train capacity—serves Lines 2A and 2B, while Charkop’s 16.4‑hectare site currently accommodates 24 trains across 18 stabling lines for Lines 2A and 7.
- Project Status: Civil, electrical, and signalling works on Phase 1 of Line 9 are complete, and trial runs between Dahisar, Mira Road, and Kashigaon are underway. Safety inspections by the Railway Safety Commissioner have cleared the corridor for passenger operations.
- MMRDA Position: The agency states that the matter is under active consideration and that it is exploring alternative arrangements given the land was government-owned, eliminating acquisition cost concerns.
Impact Analysis
The prospective cancellation of the Uttan car shed introduces a significant operational uncertainty for the Line 9 project. For commuters, this could translate into longer waiting times and reduced reliability if maintenance infrastructure is insufficient. For international students and expatriates who depend on the metro for daily commuting, the delay could affect academic schedules and university access around Mumbai.
Environmentally, the protests echo a broader national trend of balancing rapid urban transit expansion with ecological preservation. A large‑scale tree loss in an already green suburb risks increased heat island effects and loss of biodiversity—concerns that heighten the demand for transparent environmental assessments.
Moreover, the debate underscores the necessity of rigorous stakeholder engagement in infrastructure projects. Stakeholders—including local residents, NGOs, and transit users—are increasingly calling for participatory decision‑making processes.
Expert Insights & Practical Guidance
“From a project management perspective, maintaining a dedicated stabling facility is non‑negotiable for modern metro operations,” says Dr. Anil Sawant, Senior Consultant at UrbanTransit Solutions. “The alternative depots can be leveraged, but a phased approach must be adopted to avoid compromising safety and efficiency.”
For students and locals planning to use the metro, experts advise staying updated on the latest developments through official MMRDA releases and local news platforms. Maintaining flexibility in commuting plans—such as early morning or late‑night alternatives—could mitigate potential disruptions.
Environmental groups recommend that city planners adopt green corridors and shade trees as part of the new depot design, compensating for lost vegetation and supporting urban biodiversity. This could also appease local communities concerned about ecological loss.
Legal experts caution that any stakes in land acquisition should be reviewed, especially if the land falls under residential or protected zones. However, the recent statement from MMRDA that the land was government-owned suggests minimal legal exposure for the projected project.
Looking Ahead
MMRDA has pledged to finalize its decision within the next fortnight, according to senior officials. If the Uttan car shed is indeed scrapped, the agency is expected to roll out phased modifications, including enhanced utilization of the Mandale and Charkop depots, to accommodate Line 9’s rolling stock.
Should the decision lean toward constructing a new shed at an alternative site, the agency will likely engage environmental assessment bodies to ensure compliance with the National Green Tribunal guidelines and the Maharashtra Environmental Protection Act.
Nationally, the situation is prompting a reevaluation of infrastructure development frameworks that incorporate stakeholder participation, ecological cost accounting, and adaptive project planning. The outcome will set a precedent for future metro expansions across India, underscoring the importance of building sustainable, community‑friendly transit ecosystems.
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