Even as citizen groups and political parties continue to vociferously oppose the proposed construction of a depot for the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Line III in Aarey Colony, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has sent a formal proposal to the state’s Urban Development Department, stating that it wants to construct the depot on a 24-hectare plot in Aarey, in the greater interest of the public.

However, according to sources, the proposed car depot will only take care of Metro services for 20 years. Post this, a new car depot will have to be constructed on the Kanjurmarg land, which had been suggested by the Chief Minister’s appointed committee. On March 8, mid-day carried a front-page report on activists who have identified a 97-hectare, litigation-free plot in Kanjurmarg for the depot.