Aarey depot of Mumbai Metro Line 3 likely to ready by October, 62% work completed

Mumbai, India (Metro Rail Today): As per current data shared by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC), the authority implementing Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz underground corridor), 62% work on Aarey Carshed is completed. MMRC is hoping to ready the Aarey depot by October 2023 as the first phase of this corridor is slotted to open by December.

"Progress has been on track despite several constraints, and we are confident that we will complete the depot work within the set timelines. The Metro team's first objective is to finish work to commission Phase I services with nine rakes of eight coaches each," said SK Gupta, Director (Project) at MMRC.

Updating the work progress at Aarey depot, a metro official said, "We have already started laying stabling lines, and by July, we expect to complete all work required to operate Phase I services smoothly. In two weeks, sheds will begin to take shape above the workshop area, and work on internal roads will be completed in a couple of months. The depot is critical to the commissioning of the project, as trains cannot be operated without it."

To level the 30-hectare plot and avoid any waterlogging during the monsoon, nearly 5 lakh cubic meters of soil had to be dumped. Despite the fact that constructing a Metro car shed with operations and maintenance infrastructure usually takes three years.

"The technology used for Metro 3 is compatible with unattended train operations. Therefore, software experts stationed in the operations room will be able to control all train operations, including taking trains in and out of stabling and maintenance lines without human intervention," he informed.

Three internal roads are being constructed in the shed, with the main one designed to carry weights of up to 35 tons. Additionally, there will be a side road running around the car shed, and a third road leading to the heavy and light wash areas for train coaches. Despite the recent commencement of work on the station at the site, there will be no delay in its scheduled commissioning because it is being constructed at ground level, unlike other Metro 3 stations that are underground.

The Aarey depot can accommodate 31 rakes with 29 stabling lines. Phase 1 requires a parking space for nine rakes, which is being developed separately. There is a separate area where 20 additional rakes can be parked. The tracks are already laid and other elements are being readied for accommodating the eight-coach trains.

The 33.5 kilometres Mumbai Metro Line 3 will connect Navy Nagar in the far-south of Mumbai to Aarey Depot in the north-centre with with 27 underground stations and one at-grade station.