Mumbai Metro 2B passes through Juhu aerodrome funnel zone, will need AAI nod

The MMRDA and the Airports Authority of India have had initial rounds of discussions, but agency is yet to get a no-objection certificate.

While construction bids for the DN Nagar (Andheri)-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro line, which will connect the western suburbs to the eastern suburbs, have been floated, the 23.5-km Metro 2B project is yet to get a nod from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), as the elevated line passes through the funnel zone of the Juhu aerodrome.

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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), nodal agency for the Metro projects, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have had initial rounds of discussions, but agency is yet to get a no-objection certificate (NOC).

According to MMRDA officials, the stretch between the two proposed metro stations at Indira Nagar and Nanavati Hospital in Vile Parle falls in the funnel zone. The approach funnel is a sensitive zone, which is essential for the safe landing and take-off of aircraft.

“There are no commercial operations at Juhu aerodrome anymore, but since it is designated as an airport facility, we have to carry out the necessary formalities before we start the designing and construction,” said an official involved in the project.

He said there would be a height restriction for that stretch. “We are trying to keep it is as low as possible. We are working out if the [overhead] transmission [lines] can be taken on the sides,” he said. Madan is confident that AAI would soon give the NoC that is required to proceed with the work.

Senior officials said actual construction of the Rs10,986-crore corridor is unlikely to start before year-end. “The tendering process is currently on. It will take a couple of months for the work [bid] to be awarded. We will seek NoC from the Mumbai traffic police after that. The contractors will take time to mobilise… So we don’t see the work starting before December,” the official said.