Metro-II challenged in HC

A public interest litigation has been filed against the second phase of the Metro corridor even before construction on it has begun.

A public interest litigation has been filed against the second phase of the Metro corridor even before construction on it has begun.

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The Linking Road Citizens’ Forum, which has members from Bandra to Santacruz, asked the Bombay High Court to scrap the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd route.

The project was awarded on August 4 to a consortium of which Reliance Infrastructure Ltd is a part.

The route would pass through SV Road, turn onto Juhu Tara Road, go towards Santacruz Linking Road and then to Linking Road at Bandra.

The forum submitted that the Metro could pass from Nanavati Hospital at Vile Parle (West) straight to Bandra via SV Road, which would avoid traffic congestion.

Dipesh Siroya, the forum’s advocate, said the project in its present form would increase traffic congestion, inconvenience residents and violate noise pollution norms. The government issued a notification under the Tramways Act last November for Phase 2. But, Siroya said, the Metro would be 30 to 40 feet above the ground and hence not in keeping with the act.

Alleging that the project was being implemented without proper research, the petition asked that the court instead study a plan submitted by the forum.

Siroya said the forum suggested that an underground Metro route be constructed, which would help reduce congestion. Also, there wouldn’t be any need to displace, demolish structures or acquire land.

“Many developed cities, like Singapore, Sydney and Toronto, have underground Metros. Why can’t the same happen here?” said the petition.

Siroya said the petition was likely to be heard in January.

This is the second challenge the project has faced. On a petition filed by Juhu residents Alka Pandey and Mahesh Kothari, the court, in October, stayed a government notification allowing commercial exploitation of Metro platforms.