MMRDA plans underground 2nd Metro route
MMRDA officials have now realised that it will be difficult for them to get the Union ministry of environment and forests’ (MoEF) clearance for an elevated corridor for the second Metro route Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd. Hence, the development authority is now planning to start working on an underground option on the Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd route.
“The most problematic area is land acquisition for car depots for the second corridor. The initially proposed land for the depot at Charkop is out of option, the alternative now is a plot next to it, which is a private property,” said a senior MMRDA official, requesting anonymity.
The official added that it will be impossible to get an environment certificate from the MoEF. Although the contract with Reliance Infrastructure is yet to be scrapped, there is a high possibility of an underground Metro being built instead.
“We will have to invite fresh bids. In case of an underground option, we will be able to extend the route from Charkop to Dahisar,” said the official.
With chief minister Prithviraj Chavan also being open to the idea of an underground Metro,
the development authority’s current plans
won’t witness any major hurdles.
Although the MMRDA has the detailed project report for the Charkop-Dahisar corridor in place, it will have to appoint a consultant to rework the plans for an underground Metro corridor.
Until a few months ago, state officials were arguing against the demand for an underground corridor, as they claimed it was not a “feasible option”.
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