Navi Mumbai Metro plan finally on track

Finally, Navi Mumbai’s much-touted Metro rail project has been flagged off. On Thursday, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) floated the tender, seeking the participation of multinational agencies to monitor the planning of Metro as well as its designing, execution, operation and maintenance. The agency has decided to start the construction by January 1, 2011. A week earlier, the Cidco had “indicated’’ its plans to go ahead by putting up signages, demarcating the first Metro route in the satellite town. However, officials were taken aback by the promptness of the government ageny, which on Thursday unveiled the plans by making a global appeal through international media, inviting consultants to plan, execute, operate and maintain the first line of the Metro that will pass between Belapur and Pendhar near Taloja MIDC, a distance of 10.76 km. The total cost has been estimated at around Rs 1,800 crore. The Cidco will spend Rs 800 crore to lay the tracks and build the stations, while the rolling stock—trains and the signalling system—will be run and maintained by another company, which is an expert in Metro operations. The route will pass through 11 stations, most of which will be set up in Belapur and Kharghar, including the areas near the upcoming golf course and central park along the Pandavkada hills.“We plan to build the viaduct (the civil construction) as well as the stations and award the contract to run the trains to experts,’’ said Cidco’s acting managing director (MD) Tanaji Satre. According to him, the execution of the second 8-km phase between Pendhar and the proposed airport via Kalamboli, Panvel and Khandeshwar will also be started soon. “We want the MIDC to tie up with Cidco for the second line. Once they confirm their participation, we will start its execution,’’ Satre added. Cidco’s additional chief engineer Bipinchandra Mehta said the last date for receiving the bids from consultants for the first line has been fixed as September 14. “Later the planning and designing of Metro and selection of contractors for via-duct would be done. For now, we have decided to start the construction from October, but if it does not work out, we will surely begin work by January 1, 2011. The Metro operator will be decided upon later,’’ said Satre. According to Mehta, the number of passengers travelling in a particluar direction during the peak hour (peak hour per direction traffic) is expected to be around 11,000 and the tariff will be almost double the bus fare for the same distance. The trains, which will run at a speed of maximum 80 km per hour, will initially have three coaches with a capacity of 200 passengers and will be increased to six, depending on the commuter response. “Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials have told us that due to poor transport system in the area, the Metro will come as a huge help. It will help the development of the areas in future,’’ added Satre.