Metro 2 deadline goes off track

It’s been over a year since President Pratibha Patil conducted the bhoomipujan of the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro line. But, the project has made little progress and now will further be delayed by several months.

It’s been over a year since President Pratibha Patil conducted the bhoomipujan of the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro line. But, the project has made little progress and now will further be delayed by several months.

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As per plan, work on the project was to begin in January 2011 and completed in five years. However, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is constructing the 32-km line, now plans to start construction after monsoon. The reason – the residents demand for an underground metro, and clearance for car depots being built on mangrove land.

The Rs 8,250 crore Metro line has been the most controversial of the nine metro corridors planned by the MMRDA.

The biggest hurdle for the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd line has been the opposition of citizen groups to an elevated metro. There are four public interest litigations filed in court. The next hearing is in January.

The MMRDA is now awaiting a go ahead from the courts before starting the project. In fact, the MMRDA, which has short listed Reliance Infrastructure to build the project, has still not given an alignment approval for the project.

“We are in discussions with the MMRDA to get the land for car depot which is critical for us to commence work,” Reliance officials said.
According to MMRDA officials, it will take months to iron out all these issues.

“We are working towards getting all regulatory clearances to ensure that the project is completed on time,” said Ashwini Bhide, assistant metropolitan commissioner.