Now an elevated rly corridor from SoBo to Navi Mum airport?

The Maharashtra state government has asked the railways to formulate a plan for an elevated corridor on the Harbour line, connecting south Mumbai to the upcoming international airport in Navi Mumbai. The proposal envisages building of an elevated corridor via P D’Mello Road which runs parallel to the Harbour line up to Wadala. The elevated corridor will cross over the Harbour line tracks at Raoli junction. Additional lines, either on surface or elevated, will have to be laid up to Vashi and beyond. People working on the proposal suggest that tracks can be laid on the vehicular bridge above Vashi creek which is no longer being used. ACR official said, “The project is technically feasible as there is no constraint of space. Since the government itself is keen on the elevated corridor, the project may not face any hurdles as far as land acquisition is concerned.” Tanaji Satare, managing director of Cidco, said, ‘The proposal is at a very preliminary stage, but under active consideration. Apart from improved connectivity, it will offer airconditioned travel.” Urban development principal secretary T C Benjamin said that the final draft report on airport connectivity suggests that such a corridor is necessary along with the development of the Trans-Harbour Link and Metro corridor between Sewri and Nhava. Satare said, “We have suggested that such a project be included as priority in the next phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) phase III. The World Bank can be roped in to fund this project.” The draft proposal was presented before officials of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Maharashtra police, Public Works Department, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Railways, JNPT and civil aviation on Wednesday. These organizations are proposed to be the stakeholders in the development of the airport. The actual cost of the project can be ascertained only after a feasibility study is carried out. An official said that it may cost more than Rs 10,000 crore and take a minimum of five years time for development.