Metro 12 ridership will get boost from commercial dvpt

Mumbai: Ridership of the Kalyan-Taloja metro line (metro 12) will get a boost from commercial development along the line and the Kalyan Growth Centre, revealed sources. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA’s) metro 12 was recently red-flagged by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the project’s low viability. However, the authority is of the view that development along the corridor will increase the ridership count.

DMRC’s report had mentioned that the line was not viable economically or functionally. The ridership of the `5,000 crore project was expected to be 1.11 lakh in 2021. “The project will not be scrapped since it has been approved by the CM. We are planning to have transit oriented development (TOD) along the corridor. The proposed growth centre at Kalyan will also cater to the ridership of metro 12,” said a senior MMRDA official. DMRC in its report said that the alignment ran through barren and agricultural lands and hence, was economically unviable.

The concept of TOD was included in urban planning to maximise ridership of public transport. The idea aimed at developing residential, commercial or pedestrian friendly spaces within walking distance of public transport.

Metro 12 was passed in the November 21 meeting of the MMRDA helmed by the chief minister. But the line is yet to receive a cabinet nod, post which the tendering process will begin. It is an extension to metro line 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan), the ceremony of which was conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.