The Railway Board has finally given approval to the rolling stock of Maharashtra's first metro rail – Mumbai Metro (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor). Now, a decision on the fare hike is awaited.According to sources, with the Railway Board approval has been given for the mechanical systems of the metro rail.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Another source involved in the construction of the metro rail shared that the Railway Board on Tuesday made notings on the file of Mumbai Metro and the sanction letter for the rolling stock of the metro rail is likely to be received by the state authorities by Friday.

Earlier in May, the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety had issued a provisional safety certificate to the 11.04 km long metro route. Thereafter, permission from the Railway Board was eagerly awaited.

Construction on the project had begun in 2008 with a deadline set for March 2012. Reliance Infrastructure-led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) had announced that their revised deadline was March 2014, but that too was missed.

There is a possibility that the corridor will be inaugurated by a state dignitary within a fortnight. However, just before the commissioning of the project a final call will be taken on whether to increase the metro rail fares as demanded by RInfra or to retain the fare hike approved in September last year.

In September 2013, the chief minister had increased the ticket rates as per the clauses of the concession agreement signed between RInfra and state authorities.

The initial fares were (up to 3km) Rs 8 (3-8 km) and Rs 10 (over 10 kms). The CM had increased it to Rs9 (up to 3 km), Rs 11 (3-8 km) and Rs 13 (over 8 km), as against Rinfra's demand of Rs22 (up to 3 km), Rs28 (3-8 km) and Rs 33 (over 8 km).

Once the route is opened for public, it is expected to ease commuting woes for Mumbai and is also likely to reduce ridership of the suburban locals of Mumbai due to its East-West connectivity.

FLOW CHART FOR METRO CERTIFICATION PROCEDURESubmission of DPR (Detailed Project Report) to MoR (Ministry of Railways)Approval of DPR by MoRMoR sends comments on DPR to MoUD (Ministry of Urban Development)Submission of SOD (Schedule of Dimensions) and DBR (Design Basis Report) to RDSO (Research, Design and Safety Organisation) through MoRScrutiny of SOD and DBR in RDSO and communication to MoRApproval of SOD and DBR through MoRSubmission of documents to RDSO/MoR as per annexures A to E2MoR sends comments on SOD and DBR to Metro OperatorsRDSO sends comments and suggestions on docs. to MetroIssue of speed certificate by RDSO for conducting speed TrialCommunication of Approval to MoUDScrutiny and examination of test certificates as per clause 6 of the manualMetro applies to CRS (Commissioner for Railway Safety) /CMRS (Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety) for sanction for conducting oscillation trialSanction of CRS /CMRS for conducting oscillation trialRDSO conducts oscillation & EBD (Emergency Braking Distance) trialsRDSO conducts coupler force, controllability and/or any other special test, if requiredMetro applies for authorisation of CRS / CMRSCRS /CMRS conducts inspectionCRS/CMRS Authorises the Metro for opening of CorridorMetro apply for sanction of MoR based on CRS/CMRS authorisationSanction of MoR to Metro for commercial running of metro at the specified speed.Opening of corridor by Metro.There will be food and beverage shops, convenience stories, mobile and accessories stores as well as ATM machines at the 12 metro stations.