MUMBAI: If the Mumbai Metropolitan Re gion Development Authority’s (MMRDA) new plan for the next phase of the Mumbai Metro project goes through, two crucial east-west links and two northsouth links through the western suburbs will be prioritised. However, transport experts have criticised the MMRDA, saying its frequent flip-flops on the metro make the entire project appear haphazard.
Last year, the state had extended the Metro 2 line up to Dahisar and decided to build it underground, citing difficulties in acquiring land and getting various clearances. Similarly, it decided to make Metro 4 (Wadala-Ghatkopar-ThaneKasarvadavali) mostly underground and indicated that all future metro projects would be built underground.
Now, it has changed its mind and decided to build all future metro lines as elevated corridors. It is also thinking about changing the alignment of the ongoing Metro 3 line (Colaba-BandraSeepz) and merging it with the proposed coastal road project.
With Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis batting for shorter and more feasible routes, MMRDA is looking to split the Metro 2 project into three parts – Mankhurd to BKC (12km), BKC to Andheri (10 km) and Andheri to Dahisar (18km). In fact, the Andheri-Dahisar stretch will have parallel metro lines, which could transform commuting in the western suburbs, MMDRA officials claimed. MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan said, “We will have more than enough commuters from these areas as they are very congested. Also, metro lines can run on elevated corridors on these stretches.”
Sources said that Fadnavis has given his go- ahead for these routes. However, transport experts are unimpressed, saying that frequent changes to the plan lead to confusion. They also criticised the government’s lack of foresight when planning the Mumbai Metro project. Transpor t exper t Jagdeep Desai said, “It seems that the government is keen on showing the public that it is doing something great for the city. So there are regular announcements suggesting changes in transport infrastructure plans, especially for the metro. However, it is causing a lot of confusion. We don’t yet know what the actual metro plan is.”
However, MMRDA officials stressed that the latest changes to the metro plan will improve connectivity. “People will be able to travel easily between the western and eastern suburbs using these metro lines, which will be connected to each other. There could be more changes made to the master plan to further strengthen the metro network,” said an MMRDA official, who did not wish to be named.
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