After demanding 54 acres for a depot for the Colaba-Bandra metro underneath the stables at Mahalaxmi Race course, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is thinking of constructing a tunnel under the Mithi river and stretching the metro to the airport to link it with the island city. MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said, “We have to extend the Colaba-Bandra metro to the airport for better connectivity and constructing a tunnel under the Mithi is one option we are exploring, which is also recommended by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) study. But we will analyse its techno-economic feasibility before taking a decision.’’
MMRDA officials said it will be a tough task constructing a tunnel under the Mithi River’s bed. “But at least, this line will not pass through the mangroves of Mithi like the Bandra-Mankhurd section.’’ Another option is to bring it via the Mahim causeway. Gaikwad said the MMRDA is studying three to four options.
The Colaba-Bandra metro will pass through Prakash Pethe road in Colaba, Jagannath Bhosale Road near Mantralaya, Hutatma Chowk, D N Road, Jagannath Sunkersett Road in the crowded Girgaum area, Dr D B Marg at Grant Road, Nair Road, E Moses Road in Worli, Annie Besant Road in Worli, Shankar Ghanekar Road in Dadar, Lady Jamshetji Road in Mahim and traverse a distance of 38.24 km.
A senior planner in the railways said the six lines of the Western Railway corridor pass underneath and the MMRDA must take a great deal of care if they plan to dig a tunnel while taking the metro to Bandra East. The costs of the tunnel and extension to the airport are yet to be worked out. Environmentalists are not averse to the idea of the tunnel.
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