Metro loop to connect central suburbs, Navi Mumbai on cards

Mumbai: In order to ensure increased connectivity between central suburbs and Navi Mumbai, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that a proposal of a circular metro loop along Kalyan-Dombivali-Taloja route was under consideration.

Mr Fadnavis added that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been asked to carry out a feasibility survey for the same. The CM was speaking at the inauguration of a flyover at Mankoli junction.

An MMRDA official said, “The idea is to create a 15-km route on the lines of Kalyan-Sheel Phata and include around 13 stations in the same. This way Kalyan East, Dombivili, Ambernath and Diva will also be covered in the plan.”

He further added, “CIDCO would always be involved in the plan and its suggestions will be taken about the Digha to Kharegaon plans and extension to Mahape.”

Initially, the 91-km circular loop was not a part of the proposal but political pressure changed the course of the proposal. MP Shrikant Shinde had raised the point that few areas are being left out in the plan and had asked for a detailed study to be made.

Officials said that these improvements would be made on elevated corridors in order to do away with the perpetual problem of land acquisition in the city.

The official said, “Since it is a part of the MMRDA’s development plan for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, there can be some adjustments and the feasibility can be worked out that way.”