Delhi Metro Rail Corporation terming the idea as "not viable", should make a rational and practical decision to not repeat mistakes like Mumbai's Monorail.
Transportation experts and planners opined that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) that has approved the construction of a Metro line between Kalyan and Taloja in Navi Mumbai, despite the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation terming the idea as "not viable", should make a rational and practical decision to not repeat mistakes like Mumbai's Monorail.
The MMRDA, around two weeks ago, approved the construction of the Kalyan and Taloja Metro corridor via Dombivli. The DMRC that prepared the report for construction of the Metro line, cited the project as 'economically not viable' as the adjacent area lacks in sufficient habitat. It mainly has barren plots of land and a vast population is needed for such transport systems to work, the report read.
"What we have in the government today is Metro Mania that thinks Metro being a solution for everything. If DMRC claims Metro between Kalyan and Taloja as not viable, it is wastage of money, if MMRDA approves it and goes ahead with the execution." said, AV Shenoy, member of Mumbai Vikas Samiti, forum of transport experts.
Shenoy, however, added, "It should make a very planned decision to not repeat mistakes like Mumbai Monorail. If the construction of Metro is opening up a new area, and constructing it would practically make sense, we should go ahead with the same but, if not, we should not be doing the same."
The MMRDA has faced a lot of criticism over construction of a Monorail corridor between Chembur and Mahalaxmi that goes via area in Wadala and Chembur that hardly sufficient habitation but presence of oil refineries that has seen a ridership of mere 10,000 to 15,000 commuters using it daily between Chembur and Wadala.
Meanwhile, VK Phatak, planner and former MMRDA official said, "It will always be a debate that the population should come first or the transportation should go first. I guess, if a Metro is constructed there and Kalyan-Taloja are connected, a new area for growth will open up. If we see at Navi Mumbai, it grew what it is today only after suburban railway went there. So I guess it is a highly debatable topic, unless we do not have detailed microscopic numbers to prove, I will not conclude. But I am sure the authorities will make a planned decision."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Monorail")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}