RITES Limited is likely to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for Phases II (MIDC Taloja-Kalamboli-Khandeshwar) and III (Taloja MIDC-Pendhar) Interlink of the Navi Mumbai Metro as well as connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Cidco hopes to initiate the tendering process for Phase-II in the next five-six months. The development agency is in advanced talks with RITES Limited over preparation of DPR for both projects. Once the formalities are worked out, RITES will be awarded the job of preparing the DPR after a formal approval by the Cidco board.
RITES is a multi-disciplinary consultancy organization established under the aegis of Indian Railways.
Though DMRC too had prepared a project report for Phase-II, Cidco has certain issues with the present Metro alignment as per the DPR prepared by DMRC and wants it to be re-validated by RITES. “There is a problem with the alignment of Phase-II, especially at Jawahar Industrial estate, as there is lack of space adjoining the alignment, while additional land has to be acquired for an alignment on Line-3 near Taloja MIDC. Considering these issues, we wanted a revalidation of the DPR and also a look at various options such as going underground at these locations. Therefore, we have approached RITES,“ said a Cidco official.
“The DPR will help us in deciding on whether to go over ground or underground or change the route slightly . We are working out the modalities of the scope and also the financial aspects of the DPR with RITES. Once that is worked out, we will put it before the board for it to be approved,“ the Cidco official added.
RITES has assured that the DPR would be ready in about four months once they are awarded the task and Cidco officials hope to start the tendering process once DPR is ready .“One of the issues to be examined is of going underground or above ground at certain sections. The expenditure for going above ground is around Rs 300 crore per kilometre, while an underground line costs about Rs.600 crore per kilometre,“ said a Cidco official.
Meanwhile, Phase-I of the Navi Mumbai Metro may be operational only by the middle of 2017.
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