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Stuck for 6 years, now on track: Metro Line 4’s final piece falls into place
Key Vikhroli land acquired, clearing the way for the full corridor commuters have been waiting for
“The company was able to obtain a stay on the notice from the Bombay High Court, and MMRDA retracted the notice,” said an official.
After a six-year delay, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has acquired land for the long-pending Laxmi Nagar station in Vikhroli, the only remaining station on the under-construction Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Kasarvadavali).
All other stations on the 32.32-km corridor are already built. The acquisition of the 16,762 sqm plot last week is seen as a key breakthrough for the project, which is targeting full operations by 2027.
The land in Vikhroli East belonged to Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd, which owns large tracts in the area. Talks began in 2019, but faced multiple hurdles. In 2021, MMRDA issued a notice under Section 299 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, but had to withdraw it after the company secured a stay from the Bombay High Court, as no road was marked on the Development Plan.
“The company was able to obtain a stay on the notice from the Bombay High Court, and MMRDA retracted the notice,” said an official.
With consent not forthcoming, the authority initiated compulsory acquisition under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013. Officials said the process was prolonged due to the high cost over Rs 167 crore as per ready reckoner rates and the need for multiple state-level approvals.
“When the cost of land acquisition goes over Rs 100 crore, approvals have to be taken from the state government. The chain of command is long, hence any query raised travels the entire loop to be answered. This adds to the time taken,” the official said.
The land has been acquired for Rs 164.31 crore, of which Rs 157.7 crore has been paid so far. Possession was handed over on March 30.
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The Laxmi Nagar station and adjoining viaduct will now be built on the site, along with an access road. While construction has not yet begun, surveys are underway.
Officials said land acquisition for the corridor is nearing completion, with only a small 200 sqm plot in Bhandup pending for a high-tension tower, expected to be resolved within a month.
MUMBAI METRO LINE 4:
Project overview:
Route: Wadala to Kasarvadavali
Length: 32.32 km elevated corridor
Stations: 30
Cost: ₹14,549 crore
First stretch that was to open:
Gaimukh to Cadbury Junction (4.4 km)
Stations:
Gaimukh – Vijay Garden – Kasarvadavali – Cadbury Junction
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Trial runs completed on this section
6-coach BEML train used for testing
Full Phase 1 (now delayed):
Gaimukh to Cadbury Junction (10.5 km, 10 stations)
Earlier target: April 2026
Status: Not ready yet
Next phases:
Phase 2: Cadbury Junction to Gandhi Nagar (21.5 km) — Oct 2026
Phase 3: Gandhi Nagar to Wadala — Oct 2027
Why it matters:
Will cut travel time between Thane and Mumbai by 50–75%
Expected to ease heavy road congestion on the eastern corridor
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