Bandra - Kurla Complex to get connected by Monorail

The highest body of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) cleared the proposal for a nine km monorail connecting Bandra-Kurla complex and Bandra railway station.This project will address the growing demands of a better transportation service in the business district. The monorail route would cover Kalanagar-Diamond Bourse-Bandra station (East) at an estimated cost of around Rs 1,125 crore. Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner, said, “The approval is a major thrust and will cater to BKC’s needs of transportation.” Once the project starts, the number of commuters, during peak hours, is expected to go up by at least 40,000.
Interestingly, for the first time a financial company has shown interest in funding an infrastructure project. “IDFC has expressed willingness to fund the nine km corridor. Now the pattern to be adopted for implementation of the project would be studied by the MMRDA and then the tendering process would begin,” Gaikwad added.
The project would be carried out in two phases. The first stretch from Kala Nagar to Bharat Diamond Bourse is expected to be completed in 18 months of getting a goahead while the second phase would be from Bharat Diamond Bourse to Bandra station (east). MMRDA aims to complete the project in three years. The BKC monorail route is less complicated than the first monorail which goes through congested stretches from Jacob Circle to Chembur via Wadala. “It’s a hindrancefree route, simpler than the first one. A second project always has the benefit of experience,” Mhaiskar said.