Kasheli Metro depot achieves 23 per cent progress as MMRDA advances Metro Line 5 project

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA has completed 23 per cent of the construction of the Kasheli Metro Depot which will serve as the operations maintenance and stabling facility for Metro Line 5 connecting Thane Bhiwandi Kalyan and UlhasnagarAccording to MMRDA spread over nearly 27 hectares near the Kasheli Toll Plaza the depot achieved 23 per cent physical progress as of June 2026 after receiving statutory environmental clearances in August 2025 The facility is being developed to support the rolling stock fleet and longterm operations of the nearly 32km Metro Line 5 corridorMMRDA said it is following a phased construction strategy to make key depot facilities operational at the earliest This will enable train testing inspection maintenance and commissioning activities before the entire depot is completedDepot to house maintenance and operational facilitiesThe Kasheli Depot will function as the central hub for Metro Line 5s daily operations and maintenance It has been designed to accommodate around 30 trainsets and will include five inspection bay lines four workshop lines a dedicated test track and shunting facilitiesOther planned infrastructure includes a Depot Control Centre an administrative building storage facilities staff quarters a receiving substation auxiliary power systems train washing and cleaning facilities sewage and effluent treatment plants rainwater harvesting systems underground drainage and firefighting infrastructureAccording to MMRDA the depot has been planned as an integrated facility capable of supporting routine maintenance repairs and longterm asset managementGround improvement works underwayThe project site consists of soft marine clay deposits extending between six and nine metres below the original ground level requiring specialised engineering measures before constructionMMRDA said it adopted a ground improvement programme in consultation with experts from IIT Bombay The work involves the use of Prefabricated Vertical Drains PVDs and staged surcharge loading to accelerate soil consolidation and improve the grounds loadbearing capacityGround improvement was initially taken up across approximately 10 hectares with surcharge embankments of nearly 62 metres placed in phasesConstruction progressing across multiple structuresConstruction is underway on several major components of the depotWork has commenced on the fourstorey Depot Control Centre while foundation work for staff quarters is also in progress MMRDA also completed the lowering of 2400mm and 2750mm diameter Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC water mains in November 2025Temporary facilities planned for early operationsTo support the early commissioning of Metro Line 5 MMRDA is developing temporary operational infrastructure alongside the permanent depotThe interim facilities include a temporary inspection pit shed with a preengineered building structure a bogie turntable a test track an Auxiliary Substation building and a dedicated shunting neck These facilities will allow rolling stock inspection testing commissioning and train movement before the permanent depot is fully completedOnce operational the Kasheli Depot will support metro services across Thane Bhiwandi Kalyan and Ulhasnagar by providing maintenance and operational support for the Metro Line 5 networkChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said The Kasheli Depot reflects Maharashtras commitment to building modern and reliable public transport infrastructure Metro Line 5 will strengthen connectivity across Thane Bhiwandi Kalyan and Ulhasnagar while advancing our vision of a developed wellconnected MaharashtraDeputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said The Kasheli Depot will be central to the safe and efficient operation of Metro Line 5 Its steady progress brings the Mumbai Metropolitan Region closer to faster reliable and highcapacity public transport connectivityMetropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said The Kasheli Depot is the operational foundation of Metro Line 5 Despite challenging ground conditions the project is advancing through scientific engineering meticulous planning and phased execution It represents MMRDAs commitment to delivering robust metro infrastructure that will support reliable operations for decades to come