IIT-Vikhroli Metro stretch work to worsen traffic snarls

Expect more traffic snarls if you are driving via Powai lake, as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has initiated the bidding process for construction of the Metro corridor between IIT, Bombay and Vikhroli on behalf of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The DMRC said on Wednesday that it floated a bid worth Rs 339.27 crore for the project on Tuesday, partially between IIT, Bombay and Vikhroli, and the rest of the project will be tendered separately. The development has come after a month of the Maharashtra cabinet approving the particular Metro line.

"Work on the IIT, Bombay-Vikhroli line can start by April 2018 and the remaining corridor between Lokhandwala and IIT will be tendered separately as the Metro-6 designs will have to be planned considering the design of one of the flyover being constructed by the BMC. We are currently studying to accommodate both the designs," said a DMRC official.

The 14.47-km route will link Lokhandwala at Andheri in western suburbs with Vikhroli in the eastern suburbs along with major arterial roads like the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR), Western Express Highway (WEH), Powai Lake road, and the Eastern Express Highway (EEH).

The Metro-6 project will connect commercial areas like SEEPZ, Powai through an elevated line. It will be also linked with the 18.6-km Metro 2-A route which is from Dahisar (East) to DN Nagar, Andheri.

PROJECT DETAILS

• Total project cost: 6,672 crore
   
• Total 13 Metro stations namely: Lokhandwala (Swami Samarth Nagar)), Adarsh Nagar, Momin Nagar, JVLR, Shyam Nagar, Maha Kali Caves, SEEPZ Village, Saki Vihar Road, Ram Baug, Powai Lake, IIT Bombay, Kanjurmarg (W), Vikhroli-EEH.
   
• Number of coaches: 6
   
• Daily ridership: The expected daily ridership is anticipated to be 6.5 lakh in 2021 and 7.69 lakh in 2031.