As per the modified detailed project report, the third metro line going up to Bandra and Metro line VI connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex with Kanjurmarg via the airport will be combined.
The city’s metro plan has got another shot in the arm. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to extend the third metro line till Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (Seepz). Earlier, it was up to Bandra.
The MMRDA has prepared a modified detailed project report (DPR) for the same. The authority is also contemplating two sites for underground car depots at Goregaon Aarey Milk Colony and Vidyanagari, Santa Cruz .
Confirming the development, MMRDA metropolitan commissioner Rahul Asthana said, “As per the original metro master plan, the third metro line was to go up to Bandra, whereas the Metro line VI was connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex with Kanjurmarg via the airport. Now, as per the modified DPR, both these lines are combined. The total distance of this line will be approximately 33.23 km.”
The approximate cost of this alignment has been estimated at Rs16,180 crore. “The alignment has 27 underground stations and will see a metro running every three minutes. As per the travellers’ requirement in long term, the alignment will have 64 trains with six coaches each,” says the DPR.
“Per hour per direction (PHPD) capacity of the underground metro will be 30,000 commuters,” says the DPR. The MMRDA, in the past, has failed to get suitable land for car depot. Initially, the metro was to be partially underground up to Mahalaxmi and there were plans to use the Mahalaxmi Racecourse land to construct a 900-metre-long ramp, where the metro was elevated up to Bandra.
However, this plan was dropped after the MMRDA realised that Mahalaxmi Racecourse’s stables were a heritage site. “Now, we are looking for other options. They include Santa Cruz (near Vidyanagari campus in Kalina) and Goregaon (Aarey Milk Colony),” said Asthana.
However, sources in the authority feel that there may be resistance especially if Aarey Milk Colony land is utilised for a car depot. “First of all it is a green zone. Though the land belongs to the state government, environmentalists and supporters of open spaces may object to its acquisition,” said a senior official.
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