Elevated rail fast-tracked in Mumbai
On Tuesday, railway authorities along with representatives of project consultants RITES and French firm SYSTRA made a presentation on the project design to senior civic officials from the road and bridges department and senior traffic police officials.
The ambitious elevated rail corridor has been put on fast-track. Railways have begun discussions on the design and technical feasibility of the project with stakeholders like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the traffic police, and the state authorities.
On Tuesday, railway authorities along with representatives of project consultants RITES and French firm SYSTRA made a presentation on the project design to senior civic officials from the road and bridges department and senior traffic police officials.
After the discussion round, one thing that is becoming clear is that the elevated rail corridor will not be elevated on the entire route. It might have to go underground for the 6-km stretch between Churchgate and Mahalaxmi, and will have to be on surface level for stretches between Khar to Andheri and Vasai to Virar.
The railway authorities had sought land abutting railway property from the BMC for an elevated route between Churchgate to Mahalaxmi. However, during the meeting, which was chaired by additional municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta, officials from the road and bridges department struck down the suggestion.
They claimed that the concerned roads were not wide enough to sustain the project and its infrastructure requirements. Also, they pointed out that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was planning a Metro rail along the same route.
The civic officials have been asked to submit their remarks, which could be in by June 20 to the state urban development department, on the extent of rehabilitation required for the underground and above ground utilities for the project.