20.5.10

Mumbai Metro may go upto airports

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to extend the Metro network to improve connectivity to the city’s domestic and international airports. The MMRDA officials have proposed a special line that would start at Mahim and go up to the domestic and international airports with stops at Dharavi as well as Vidyanagari Campus in Kalina. The line will have a stop on the Western Express Highway near the Vile Parle station to give citizens easy access to the international airport. Senior officials in charge of the Metro planning said that this special line would be connected to the Mumbai Metro’s third line. The earlier plan of connecting the two airports through the monorail has been shelved. This special line would move from Mahim onto Dharavi and then cross over to the Bandra-Kurla Complex. From there, it would go to the University of Mumbai at Kalina, domestic airport at Santa cruz, international airport at Sahar and a spot next to the Western Express Highway near Vile Parle station. “There is a need to serve the airport area more effectively,” said a Metro rail official. “Dharavi is also a developing area. Moreover, we need to provide connectivity to students and academics who regularly visit the university. The special line would also connect to SEEPZ which has large commuter potential,’’ the official added. According to officials involved in the Metro planning, the inclusion of all these spots in the special line is commercially viable owing to the growing commuter traffic there. The first Metro line—Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar, is being constructed by Reliance Infrastructure led consortium. Work is yet to start on the second line—Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd. The Colaba-Bandra line will be underground till Mahalaxmi and will then go on elevated tracks to Bandra. While MMRDA officials claim that this line would be ready in five years, the final details of the project are yet to be approved by the Centre. “We have been talking to the airport officials and feel this will be the most effective way of connecting the airport. We have indicated the spots where stations may come up, but a final decision has not been taken,’’ said the official. The airport will also be served by the large elevated road being built by the MMRDA from the Western Express Highway to the international airport.This elevated road should be ready by the end of the year. Initially, the monorail was supposed to connect the two airports. Following a series of discussions, officials concluded that a Metro line would best serve the purpose.

No comments: