Like the final piece of a long-delayed puzzle falling into place, a stalled dream inches closer to completion.
The Last Missing Link in a Long Corridor
After a six-year delay, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has finally secured land for the long-pending Laxmi Nagar station in Vikhroli—marking a crucial milestone for Mumbai Metro Line 4. This station was the only remaining gap in the 32.32-km stretch, where all other stations have already been constructed.
The acquisition of the 16,762 sq m plot is being viewed as a major breakthrough, bringing renewed momentum to a project targeting full operations by 2027. The delay had long been a bottleneck, holding back the completion of an otherwise near-ready metro corridor designed to ease Mumbai’s growing transit demands.
Legal Hurdles and a Costly Resolution
The land in Vikhroli East belonged to Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd, which owns significant property in the area. Negotiations began in 2019 but soon ran into legal and procedural roadblocks. In 2021, MMRDA issued a notice under Section 299 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. However, the process hit a pause when the company obtained a stay from the Bombay High Court due to the absence of a designated road in 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 mutual agreement failing, authorities proceeded with compulsory acquisition under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013. The process proved lengthy, largely due to the high valuation—exceeding Rs 167 crore—and the requirement 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.
Ultimately, the land was acquired for Rs 164.31 crore, with Rs 157.7 crore already paid. Possession was officially handed over on March 30, clearing the final hurdle for the metro line’s completion.
What was once a missing piece in the city’s transit map now stands ready—quietly paving the way for movement, momentum, and a more connected tomorrow.
Summary
After a six-year delay, MMRDA acquired land for Mumbai Metro Line 4’s final station at Laxmi Nagar, Vikhroli. Legal disputes with Godrej & Boyce and costly approvals slowed progress. The land was eventually secured for Rs 164.31 crore, with possession granted on March 30, marking a key step toward completing the corridor by 2027.
