MMRDA approves 3 more metro lines
MMR expansion sought up to Raigad for development.
Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Wednesday formally approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of three new Metro lines. The lines, Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road) Metro-10, Wadala to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Metro-11 and Kalyan-Taloja Metro-12, are expected to cost Rs 4,476 crore, Rs 8,739 crore and Rs 4,132 crore respectively. All the three DPRs will now be recommended to the state government for approval.
The MMRDA committee, which is headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved the corridors while inaugurating a war room that has been set up to monitor the metro projects. The war room will also contribute to research activities for the city’s development. “It’s a continuous process. Now that the proposal has been sent, the approval shall come within a month or two,” said R.A. Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.
MMRDA has also launched a green policy for Metro lines. The policy will help optimise energy consumption right from the planning stage. Among the key features of this policy include developing green Metro stations by using 100 per cent LED-based smart lighting; harvesting natural light to supplement station and depot lighting; solarisation of all elevated stations, car depots and control centres; and using green technology in rolling stocks.
In the authority meeting, the officials annou-nced the decision to incl-ude the entire Palghar tal-uka, Vasai taluka, Aliba-ug, Pen, Panvel and Khal-apur in Raigad district into the MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region).
Meanwhile, the authority unveiled its decision to establish its own agency, Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd, which will operate and maintain upcoming Metro corridors, and a new logo was unveiled. The Asian Age was the first to report that a new agency would run Metro corridors. Additionally, the authority decided to create more than 1,000 posts. The corporation will be an autonomous body and will deal with the operation and maintenance of Metro Lines as well as the monorail.