Mumbai's elevated rail project snippets

The Maharashtra government has given an ‘in principle’ approval for the elevated rail corridor from Oval Maidan. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had insisted it start from Mahalaxmi instead of Oval Maidan but the railways felt it would make the project unfeasible. The approval came at a meeting of senior railway and Planning Commission (PC) officials with chief minister Prithivraj Chavan and state government bureaucrats on Tuesday. A WR spokesman said the government had assured “complete cooperation” for land acquisition for the project, which will cost more than Rs 15,000 crore. The PC representative requested the government to hike the floor space index (FSI) limit to 4 so that commercial exploitation of land can fund the project. The official said, “The government is not averse to the suggestion as the project will ensure additional north-south connectivity.” According to the initial plan, the corridor was to be underground between Churchgate and Charni Road and elevated up to Santa Cruz. Between Vile Parle and Andheri, the tracks will be at the ground level, alongside existing tracks, as the area falls in the funnel of aircraft. The tracks will be elevated beyond Andheri and Dahisar and at ground level from Mira Road to Virar. WR plans to build an underground station near Oval Maidan, which is close to Churchgate, and where the route cannot be terminated as the station has narrow dispersal points. MMRDA officials had opposed the line up to Oval Maidan. It said the underground portion would mean disturbing prime land holdings around existing stations between Mahalaxmi and Churchgate. The railways had opposed the suggestion as they felt curtailing the corridor, as suggested by MMRDA, may impact ridership. Around one lakh people alight at Churchgate every hour during the morning and evening peak period. The elevated rail line is expected to take nearly 30% load off existing lines. Since having an underground station at Churchgate is unfeasible due to narrow dispersal points on roads on either side, the elevated corridor terminus was planned underground at Oval Maidan. Having an elevated rail till Mahalaxmi will also serve no purpose. The government had asked the railway ministry to examine its proposal. The railway board sought the opinion of Western Railway, which made it clear that the project will not be feasible if not taken up to Churchgate.