Maharashtra plan Metro Rail Corridor on the Coastal Road

Maharashtra plan Metro Rail Corridor on the Coastal Road

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is planning a Metro corridor on the Coastal Road, which may replace the proposed alignment of the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro rail. The state is exploring ways to make changes in the proposed 33.5-km Metro route from Colaba to Bandra and SEEPZ to integrate a Metro at-grade (ground) level.

Why change in plan?

The present plan for an underground Metro railway has met with a wall of opposition from local residents in the Girgaon- Kalbadevi belt who fear displacement due to the Metro stations. Environmentalists too are opposing a proposed Metro rail car depot at Aarey Milk Colony, to which Fadnavis has formed a committee to look into alternative options for the depot.

When will be the Metro corridor ready?

Difficult to say. With the coastal road plan still on the drawing board, this may mean that Mumbai’s wait for another Metro to take the load off its overloaded public transport infrastructure may be extended further.

The Colaba-Bandra-seepz underground Metro is in an advance stage of implementation by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) and has met with opposition from residents and environmentalists due to displacement fears and environmental impact.

What does the CM say?

“We are exploring the possibility of a Metro on the coastal road…(we are looking at) combining the Metro at-grade with the coastal freeway. Talks are underway with (the) Netherlands (government) where the coastal road and Metro integration has taken place,” told Fadnavis to dna, adding that he had met the Consul General of Netherlands in his government’s bid to look for support and technical know-how from Dutch.

Any other changes in card?

Depending upon the submission of the plan of having a Metro by way of reclamation, the state government may also alter the alignment that will partly overlap the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ underground Metro.

Once the report is submitted by Dutch authorities, “In that case, the alignment (of Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro) can be shifted,” said Fadnavis, adding, “We have to make an entire Metro grid. The alignment can be changed accordingly.”