MMRDA approves 118-km Metro network, sanctions Rs 35,400 cr

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in a meeting with CM Devendra Fadnavis also approved the detailed project reports for the two new phases — a 16.5-km line from Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East) and an 18.6-km line from Dahisar to DN Nagar. These lines, the project reports for which have been drafted by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), will be portions of the four larger corridors to be constructed.

The Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East) line, estimated to cost Rs 4,737 crore, would be part of a 27-km Dahisar-Andheri-Bandra (East) Metro, while the Dahisar-DN Nagar line, pegged at Rs 4,994 crore, would be part of the larger 40-km Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro, MMRDA spokesperson Dilip Kawathkar said.

Sanjay Sethi, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner at the MMRDA, said, “The projects will first go to the state cabinet for a decision. One of the projects for which the detailed project report has been approved will be given to the DMRC for execution. We are having a meeting with DMRC for the same this week. That execution of that project can be fast-tracked. For the other line, we will have to complete the process of tendering and selection of bids.”

The authority discussed the civil work of the two lines can be financed through MMRDA’s resources, while external aid can be sought for other aspects such as rolling stock, signalling and so on.

Besides the Dahisar East-Andheri-Bandra East corridor and the Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro,
the MMRDA has also planned a 40-km Thane-Wadala-Kasarvadavali Metro corridor and an 11-km Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road Metro. All the proposed Metro lines will be built in an elevated manner.

The authority has also approved Rs 1,089 crore for the development of a growth centre at Kalyan. About 330 hectare would be developed in the first phase, of which 44 hectare government land would be made available free of cost.

The MMRDA can now begin land acquisition following the authority’s approval.

Major Decisions:

• Approved Rs 743.73 crore for three elevated roads —
  a 1.3-km road from MTNL junction to LBS flyover, a 3.45-km road from Kurla to Vakola near the Western Express Highway, and a 1.9-km road from Bandra Kurla Complex’s G block to Vakola junction. These will
  de-congest entry and exit into Bandra Kurla Complex and the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road junction.
• 20 hectares demarcated for an International Finance Service Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex’s G Block. Approved an expenditure of Rs 95.57 crore for retrofitting the Bandra Kurla Complex with smart city features such as wifi, smart parking and
  energy-efficient lighting
• Approved Rs 60.61 crore for infrastructure development works such as road strengthening, concretization and drainage in Thane, Palghar and Raigad district
• Approved Rs 1,089 crore for a plan to develop a growth centre in Kalyan
• Approved Rs 35,400 crore for 118-km Metro network