Consultants told to link Metros

In an attempt to expedite connection of the Mumbai Metro with the one planned in New Mumbai, consultant Lea Associates has been asked to find out possible options in which the two Metro projects can be connected.

In an attempt to expedite connection of the Mumbai Metro with the one planned in New Mumbai, consultant Lea Associates has been asked to find out possible options in which the two Metro projects can be connected.

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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) met this week to explore options for a direct connectivity between the airports.

“We want to plan our infrastructure projects in such a way that they provide airport connectivity. Cidco and MMRDA have asked Lea Associates to explore various options which will help us provide connectivity to the new airport,” said metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad.

“We explored the possibilities in which the old and the new airports can be connected. Since both the agencies have ready plans for Metro network in Mumbai as well as Navi Mumbai, we discussed how we can extend the existing alignments so as to get connected with both the airports,” Gaikwad said.

The planners are looking at integrating the MMRDA’s Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd line with the Panvel-Nerul-Vashi route in Navi Mumbai. There is a growing need to set up a transport system to allow easy access to the new airport from Mumbai. The Navi Mumbai airport is likely to see 4.5 crore passengers by 2022, who are likely to use the already saturated six-lane Sion-Panvel road.