Mumbai Metro Update and Status
February 28, 2009
Bhargav Sura
Not a lot of construction updates have been seen or heard past six months. The Mumbai Metro One's website doesn't give much information about the updates or the construction status. The government is expecting to start the first line of the Mumbai Metro from Versova to Ghatkopar (also known as the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar or the VAG corridor) from 2010 and nine lines by 2021 (Source).
In an article written by Mr. Sudhir P. Badami, he mentions the shortcomings of the Metro plan in the future and why is it not the best option to reduce the load from the current suburban train system of the city. He says that "in 2022, the two north-south lines will have sixcoach metros running every three minutes, giving a capacity of 36,000 pph per route, i e, 72,000 pph overall for north-south runs. There is thus still a shortfall of 98,000 pph, i e, nearly 30 per cent, from he overall capacity requirement of 3,50,000 pph." This sounds very realistic and keeping in mind, the slow progress in the city's infrastructural development against the increasing population, the suburban system and the metro lines are going to face a lot of problems in the future if the process is not paced up.
The first line is underway. It is stated to complete in 2010 as mentioned above. Hopefully the Anil Ambani's Reliance keeps up with the dates and has the deadline in mind.
Before the implementation of the second line, it is already facing obstacles from the public. The second line from Charkop to Markhund is planned elevated. However citizens oppose it and demand for realignment of the line or making it underground. Considering the fact that Underground is a more expensive option, it is also a long term solution to avoid any traffic snarls during the construction of an elevated metro line.