MMRDA to use granite to build Metro 7 stations

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to construct Metro 7 (Andheri east to Dahisar east) stations using granite so as to cut down on maintenance required. Officials said that tiles deteriorate and crack with time, and heavy costs are incurred maintaining them. Furthermore, the authority has decided on a Bollywood theme for Andheri station.

“We have planned to use granite since this will enable zero maintenance and there will be no need to replace tiles. The stations will be area-specific, with themes like Bollywood for the Andheri metro station and the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) for the Borivali east metro station,” said Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

The MMRDA said that nearly 60 per cent of the civil work of the corridor had been completed and that recently, the authorities had moved to procure tracks for the same. The corridor is ex-pected to be operational by December next year.

The corridor has a total 14 stations. The authority had called in various architectural firms and colleges, and architects and consultants to design the stations. According to a senior MMRDA official, Aarey station will be among the first to be completed.

Meanwhile, the MMRDA has planned to construct leaner stations as compared to those along Metro 1. The authorities are carrying out a detailed study of all proposed changes for the upcoming metro lines. Additionally, there are plans to widen the footpaths outside these stations. Further, the authority has decided to increase the number of entry/exit points in order to avoid congestion during peak hours.