Navi Mumbai Metro update

Navi Mumbai will get its first metro soon. City and Industrial Development Corporation passed a proposal for a circular metro rail from Belapur to Taloja, Khandeshwar to MIDC and MIDC to Taloja. Unlike the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, which is constructing metro corridors on a BOT basis, Cidco has decided to finance it with its own funds. “We plan to start the work on the first corridor by March this year. Since we are using our own funds, the work is expected to start soon,” a senior Cidco official said. Cidco first plans to start work on the Belapur-Taloja sector. Cidco’s additional chief engineer (railway projects) B B Mehta said, “The other sectors will require permissions as they come under the purview of Coastal Regulation Zone regulation of the Environment Protection Act. Work on the Phase-2 will start only after the environment clearances are granted.” The first sector is 10.15 kilometres and the second one, 8.15 kms,” said Mehta. Cidco officials said the metro will not cater to the proposed airport, but will be beneficial to Taloja and northern parts of Kharghar. “The first corridor will have 10 stations,” a Cidco official said. The first phase will cost Rs 1,800 crore and the second, Rs 1,400 crore. The first will take three years.