Mumbai monorail gets right of way

In a breakthrough, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) claimed to have resolved a major issue regarding the right of way (ROW) for the second phase of the monorail project, which runs from Wadala to Jacob Circle. The agency has also indicated it will take strict action against the contractor who built the Lalbaug flyover after a portion of its concrete came off.

MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana said they will acquire the Wakdi chawl in Central Mumbai for the monorail project. The cessed building, which is owned by a trust, has 67 tenants who will be rehabilitated in Mulund. The tenants will make a move on May 1.

Referring to the tenants’ demand that “their claims be considered in case the chawl is redeveloped” Asthana said the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), whose vice-president and CEO Satish Gavai was also present at a meeting, had on Wednesday assured “protection of the tenants’ rights as well as their accommodation”.