While political big-wigs in the government are busy giving one deadline after another for the completion of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor, the ground reality is far from what is being promised.
Construction for one of the Metro stations in Asalfa is more than 90% completed. However, the road under the Metro station is still a missing link.
A visit to the site under the Jagruti Nagar Metro station by DNA on Monday, revealed that the slab and superstructure of the stations were ready, but the road under the station, where all the technical rooms are to be created, was still to be made.
According to workers on the site, the responsibility of constructing the road was with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). “The construction of this stretch can only commence once the MMRDA smoothens the road — the Andheri Ghatkopar Link Road (AGLR). Till then, we will not be able to complete construction on this stretch,” said a construction worker.
According to sources in Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd, which is constructing the 11km stretch, MMRDA must do a lot of work on AGLR for technicians to commence their work.
“For instance, the Jagruti Nagar station is almost complete. However, since the road under the station is a missing link, we cannot proceed with setting up of our technical rooms.
These rooms are right in the median of the road and MMRDA has to do earth filling to make way for our equipment to set up the rooms,” said a source.
He further added that some approach is also needed for transportation of equipment. “MMRDA has to immediately start the earth work in this area. Otherwise, the Metro work will continue to be behind schedule,” said the source.
Meanwhile, Sarvodaya Hospital has one pillar of the Metro construction slated to be in its premises. However, the MMRDA has been unable to resolve this issue.
MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana did confirm that there were some problems on the Ghatkopar side of the first line. “We have issues related to theSarvodaya Hospital boundary and other places. We are in talks to resolve them,” said Asthana, refusing to divulge further details on the matter.
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