CIDCO zeroes in on RITES Ltd for Navi Mumbai Metro DPR

CIDCO zeroes in on RITES Ltd for Navi Mumbai Metro DPR

Mumbai: The RITES Limited is likely to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for Phases II (MIDC Taloja-Kalamboli-Khandeshwar) and III (Taloja MIDC-Pendhar) Interlink of the Navi Mumbai Metro as well as connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport.

CIDCO hopes to initiate the tendering process for Phase-II by next year. The development agency is in advanced talks with RITES Limited over preparation of DPR for both projects. Once the formalities are worked out, RITES will be awarded the job of preparing the DPR after a formal approval by the CIDCO board.

Though the DMRC too had prepared a project report for Phase-II, CIDCO has certain issues with the present alignment of the Metro as per the DPR prepared by DMRC and wants it to be re-validated by RITES.

“There is a problem with the alignment of Phase-II, especially at Jawahar Industrial estate, as there is lack of space adjoining the alignment, while additional land has to be acquired for an alignment on Line-3 near Taloja MIDC. Considering these issues, we wanted a revalidation of the DPR and also a look at various options such as going underground at these locations. Therefore, we have approached RITES,” said a CIDCO official.

“The DPR will help us in deciding on whether to go over ground or underground or change the route slightly. We are working out the modalities of the scope and also the financial aspects of the DPR with RITES. Once that is worked out, we will put it before the board for it to be approved,” the CIDCO official added.

RITES has assured that the DPR would be ready in about four months once they are awarded the task and CIDCO officials hope to start the tendering process once the DPR is ready. “One of the issues to be examined is of going underground or above ground at certain sections. The expenditure for going above ground is around Rs 300 crore per kilometre, while an underground line costs about Rs 600 crore per kilometre,” said a CIDCO official. “The DPR will also study the pattern of passengers and the internal rate of return.”

Meanwhile, Phase-I of the Navi Mumbai Metro may be operational only by the middle of 2017.

The Navi Mumbai Metro is a rapid transit system under construction in the Indian city of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The planning and construction of the Navi Mumbai Metro is being overseen by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The system is planned to consist of three rail lines covering a total distance of 106.4 kilometres (66.1 mi). The foundation stone for the project was laid on 1 May 2011; following construction delays, the metro’s first line is projected to open in 2017. The metro’s technological infrastructure and rolling stock are being provided by Ansaldo STS, Tata Projects and CSR Zhuzhou

The Navi Mumbai Metro project received formal approval on 29 April 2010, and a public hearing on 21 May 2010 reported no major objections to the plan. CIDCO was named as the implementing agency of the Belapur–Pendhar–Kalamboli–Khandeshwar line, under the Indian Tramway Act 1886, by the Government of Maharashtra on 30 September 2010. The metro’s foundation stone was laid on 1 May 2011 by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, and general foundation work on the system’s first phase commenced in October 2011. In March 2012, CIDCO released the metro’s complete master plan, including a proposed connection to the Mumbai Metro.

In February 2013, thousands of villagers in the Navi Mumbai area protested against CIDCO’s inaction on local housing developments and its failure to provide restitution for locals affected by infrastructure projects. The protesters pledged to “shut down the CIDCO head office and all development projects in the region. These will include the metro project and any progress on the airport project”.

Network

The Navi Mumbai Metro is planned to consist of five lines, totaling 106.4 kilometres (66.1 mi) in length. As of 2015, Line 1 of the metro is under construction, with operation projected to commence in 2017.

The 23.40-kilometre (14.54 mi) Line 1 consists of 20 stations. The proposed route will link Belapur, Kharghar, Taloje, MIDC, Kalamboli and the Khandeshwar railway station, terminating at the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport. Line 1 is expected to be completed by 2017.

Funding

All the phases of Line 1 will be constructed and funded by CIDCO. Lines 2 and 3 will be funded by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority respectively. The total cost of Line 1 is estimated to be ₹4068 crore (US$610 million).

Construction

The 23.40-kilometre (14.54 mi) Line 1 consists of 20 stations. The proposed route will link Belapur, Kharghar, Taloje, MIDC, Kalamboli and the Khandeshwar railway station, terminating at the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport. Line 1 is expected to be completed by 2017. Line 1 is planned to be developed in 3 phases:

Rolling Stock

In 2014, the Chinese company CSR Zhuzhou signed a contract with CIDCO to supply rolling stock for the first phase of the metro’s Line 1. The contract is worth 300 million yuan, including maintenance. The three-car trainsets would be 64.6 metres (212 ft) long and 3.1 metres (10 ft) wide, with a passenger capacity of around 1,100 and a maximum speed of approximately 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). The trains would feature stainless steel bodies, air-conditioning and LED lighting.

Infrastructure

An international consortium of companies including Ansaldo STS, Tata Projects and CSR Zhuzhou will provide the electrical and mechanical systems for the first phase of Line 1. Ansaldo will conduct systems integration and supply train control systems, telecoms, fare collection systems and equipment storage. The metro’s standard gauge network would be electrified at 25 kV AC, with power provided via an overhead catenary.