The Maharashtra government has approved the diversion of 0.39 hectares (3,900 sq m) of mangrove forest land at Mogharpada in Thane for the construction of an approach road and a spur line to the proposed metro car depot for Mumbai Metro Lines 4 and 4A. This clearance removes a crucial statutory hurdle for the project.
Official Order Issued
The Revenue and Forest Department issued the order on June 12, permitting the diversion of the land in Gut No. 30 of Mogharpada village in favour of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The approach road and spur line will provide connectivity to the Mogharpada depot, a key facility for stabling, maintenance, and movement of metro trains for the Wadala–Mulund–Thane–Kasarvadavali–Gaimukh corridor.
Approval Process
The approval marks the final step in a process that began with the proposal being forwarded by the state to the Centre in 2024. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted in-principle approval in October 2024, followed by final approval in February 2025 after compliance with prescribed conditions. The state government has now issued the formal diversion order, enabling the land to be handed over for the project.
Land Allocation Details
According to the order, the diverted land comprises 0.1625 hectares (1,625 sq m) for the approach road, 0.0928 hectares (928 sq m) for the spur line, and 0.1347 hectares (1,347 sq m) for construction space, totalling 3,900 sq m. The government has stipulated that the diversion will be subject to all conditions laid down by the Centre and the state forest authorities. The Divisional Forest Officer has been directed to ensure compliance before the land is handed over to MMRDA, while the user agency must adhere to all safeguards imposed under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The order states that non-compliance could lead to withdrawal of the permission and other action under the law.
Significance for Metro Project
The approval is significant because the approach road and spur line are essential for connecting the Mogharpada depot to the Metro network. The depot cannot function effectively without this access infrastructure, making the clearance an important milestone for the execution and future operation of Metro Lines 4 and 4A. The project had earlier received coastal regulatory approvals for this connectivity infrastructure, and the latest forest land diversion removes another key regulatory bottleneck.
