Senior advocate Milind Sathe, appearing for the authority, argued that the project is estimated to cost around Rs 11,000 crore and is to be completed by 2021.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is constructing the Metro 2-B project, between Andheri and Mankhurd, on Wednesday, asked the Bombay High Court to direct Residents Association, challenging the construction of the metro line overground, to deposit Rs 10,000 crore as security deposit in the registry, before the plea is heard and decided.
Senior advocate Milind Sathe, appearing for the authority, argued that the project is estimated to cost around Rs 11,000 crore and is to be completed by 2021. The petition and the ensuing case would delay the project, leading to cost escalation, which also needs to be factored in. He also sought permission to vacate an earlier court order, restricting the work only to soil testing and not carrying out piling work.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice GS Kulkarni, has not allowed the plea of MMRDA.
Three petitions filed by Juhu-Vile Parle residents association, H-west ward residents association and an individual have opposed the overground construction. They want the metro line to be built underground to ensure that traffic congestion does not increase on the two arterial roads — Linking and SV Road. The plea also says that two lanes will be wiped out by the project, if it is built over the ground.
MMRDA had opposed the plea, claiming that Metro 2 between Dahisar and Andheri and Metro 2-B project would be connected, and the Metro 2 project is over ground and is almost ready. Hence, it would not be feasible to have the connecting metro line underground.
The plea has been posted for further hearing on September 18.
THE ARGUMENT
- Senior advocate Milind Sathe, appearing for the authority, argued that the project is estimated to cost around Rs 11,000 crore, and is expected to be completed by 2021.
- The petition and the ensuing case would delay the project, leading to cost escalation, which also needs to be factored in. He also sought permission to vacate an earlier order.
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