Excavated mud to be dumped in abandoned quarries

Excavating earth and transporting it to the appropriate locations is yet another challenge for the metro line.

During the planning stage itself, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) authorities had finalised the sites to dump the muck that will be generated during the course of construction. It will be transported in dumpers and trucks to abandoned quarry sites outside greater Mumbai limits.

The state government is yet to hand over the quarries, but the process is underway to acquire abandoned quarries.

On a daily basis, about 75 to 150 trucks will be seen on Mumbai's roads heading to the surrounding districts to dump soil and rock.

Various quarries amounting to 180 hectares have been identified in Thane and Palghar districts.

"If the coastal road project, too, commences when excavation work is being done, there is a possibility that the muck from the project will be diverted for reclamation purposes," said Ashwini Bhide, managing director of MMRC. This will not only speed up transportation time but will also lead to fewer dumpers or trucks plying on Mumbai's already congested roads.

The quarries shortlisted are at Kalwar, Rahnal, Narpoli and Kariwali in Bhiwandi; Mahape MIDC, Ambernath MIDC, Dhapode in Padghe; Waliv, Dhaniv and Achole near Vasai; and Talavali Pise near Kalyan.