Mumbai Metro II had so far failed to take off mainly because of difficulties in getting Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances for the plots in Charkop and Mankhurd on which depots were to be built.
Now, the urban planning body Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has found land in Mankhurd on which a depot can be built without the requirement of green clearances. The authority has identified government land in Mandala village.
“As the land in Mandala does not need any kind of green clearance, a metro depot can be constructed without any difficulty,” said MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan. “We have asked the state government to hand over the land to us.”
As for the land in Charkop, Madan said green clearances may be obtained soon following a recent assurance from Union minister Prakash Javadekar.
The Union environment ministry had refused permission to construct depots in Charkop and Mankhurd fearing they would cause damage to mangroves in the area by releasing polluted sewage water.
With the issue unresolved, the contract with a Reliance Infra-headed consortium was expected to be terminated soon and MMRDA had started the procedure to invite fresh tenders.
The development body has already prepared a fresh plan to construct the Metro corridor fully underground, and even extend it to Dahisar.
“We are going to put the new proposal before our authority meeting next week to get its approval,” Madan said.
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