Mumbai’s Metro-6 route must be scrapped, Metro-3 line extended instead, say activists

They will submit their objections to the existing route to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Tuesday.

Powai residents and activists opposed to the Metro-6 corridor (Swami Samarth Nagar-Lokhandwala Complex-Vikhroli) have come up with a proposal for an alternative route. They will submit their objections to the existing route to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Tuesday.

Metro-3 work being carried out at Andheri. (HT file photo)

Residents have said that the current plan, if executed, would worsen the situation at the already-congested Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and disturb the serenity of Powai lake. “The detailed project report by the authorities has not talked about the impact on Powai lake, the Mahakali caves or the areas falling under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) along the route,” said Debi Goenka, an environment activist.

The alternative plan – put forth by architect Nitin Killawala and discussed during a residents’ meeting on Sunday – suggests a 6-km extension to the fully underground Metro-3 corridor (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz). The route will start from Marol Naka, cross Saki Vihar and Chandivli, and reach Vikhroli on the Eastern Express Highway. “This way, the line will not pass the JVLR, which is choc-a-bloc even without a Metro, and also save the green space in Powai lake. The Chandivli area is populated owing to a lot of commercial establishments,” Killawala said.

Meanwhile, Killawala has also been demanding that Metro-2B (DN Nagar-Mandale) be made fully underground. As per the MMRDA’s current plan for Metro-2B, the line will see miniscule ridership at a heavy cost, said Killawala.

Sonali Mishra, a resident who was present at the meeting, suggested that Metro-6 and Metro-3 could have a casting yard at Kanjurmarg, given the controversy around the proposed casting yard at Aarey. MMRDA has called for a public consultation at its Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) office on Tuesday, owing to the protests. However, activists have slammed the authority, saying such a meeting should have been held a year ago.