‘Metro 7 could miss 2019 deadline’

Though the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has set 2019 as its deadline for the Andheri-east to Dahisar-east (Metro-7) line, officials said considering the flow of traffic and the number of slum dwellers, it could miss its 2019 deadline.

A senior MMRDA official on condition of anonymity said, “Working on the Andheri-east Dahisar-east Metro line is not going to be an easy task because of the constant traffic flow and the number of slum dwellers who will have to be relocated.”

Earlier this week, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) gave its approval to the MMRDA for building a metro car depot on its land in Dahisar. Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro-3 was also delayed because of the resistance against the car depot coming up in Aarey colony. This has now been shifted to Kanjurmarg.

Rishi Agarwal, transport expert, said, “The MMRDA should take lessons from the difficulties it faced while constructing the Andheri-Versova-Ghatkopar Metro-1. Western Express Highway being one of the busiest highways, most of the work for the Andheri-east Dahisar-east line will have to be done at night.”

He further added that the MMRDA would also have to come out with a traffic management plan and later take clearances on the same from the traffic department.

It was earlier reported by The Asian Age that the MMRDA is planning to demolish six foot overbridges (FOB) on the Western Express Highway from the Andheri to Dahisar stretch where the Andheri east-Dahisar east elevated Metro line is to come up.

Dilip Kawathkar, deputy metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, “The MMRDA will have to come out with a plan to relocate slum dwellers and manage the traffic.

“We are currently studying the issues pertaining to it and will come out with a plan before starting the work on the line.”

The total length of the Andheri-east Dahisar-east Metro line is 16.50 km and it will have 16 stations, which will cost the MMRDA Rs 6,208 crore.

However, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) who is the consultant for Metro projects in the state in a report last week, had suggested that the MMRDA extend the Metro 7 line connecting Andheri east and Dahisar east to Terminal-2 and the international airport complex.