In a first-of-its-kind operation on Monday, Mumbai Metro coaches were physically lifted from lorries on the road and placed onto the elevated tracks of the Metro Green Line 4 in Thane using heavy-duty cranes. Trial runs on the corridor are scheduled to begin in September. The Green Line spans 35.32 km (32.32 km for Line 4 and 2.88 km for Line 4A) with 30 stations, connecting Wadala to Gaimukh via Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Thane. It will also interconnect with Lines 2B, 5, 6, 10, and other transit systems.

“On August 25, just after midnight, the first trial train’s coaches were lifted and placed on the elevated tracks near Anand Nagar in Thane,” an official said. “Since the Mogharpada carshed is still under construction, coaches were transported by truck and then mounted onto the girders with cranes. Using pit lines, we can carry out maintenance and begin trials on time.”

A Metro coach being lifted with a crane for placement on the Green Line