Navi Mumbai Metro work starts

Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s first metro project on cash contract got a major boost on Sunday when chief minister Prithviraj Chavan performed the Bhoomipujan for the metro line in Navi Mumbai. Constructed by the City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), at a cost of Rs1,984 crore, the metro will run from Belapur to Pendhar, connecting the proposed new international airport.

Speaking on the occasion, Chavan said that overall development of cities such as Navi Mumbai is on the government’s priority list. “At present, CIDCO has begun the civil work for this 11km line — a first in its periphery. Their target should be to start the metro rail by 2013 instead of 2014 as per schedule,” said Chavan.

The 11km route will be constructed by CIDCO, without any private participation, and the civil works contract has been awarded to J-Kumar Infra projects. “The cost of civil contract is approximately Rs355 crore; cost of constructing the metro stations and car depot is approximately Rs550 crore. While the rolling stock (the coaches) will cost Rs190 crore, electrification, signalling and the other aspects will cost CIDCO Rs889 crore,” said a senior CIDCO official. He added that this route is a part of a 22km route connecting Belapur-Taloja-Kalamboli-Khandeshwar-New Airport route.

The alignment details have been designed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which has also designed a master plan for six major metro lines.