MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Eknath Shinde’s government in their first cabinet meeting after expansion approved Rs 10,000 crore in the total cost of the Mumbai Metro 3 project, which shall connect Nariman Point, Worli, Bandra-Kurla Complex, airports and Colaba-Bandra-Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) as a rise in the project cost. The project’s cost has increased from Rs 23,136 crore to Rs 33,405 crore, while the state government’s contribution has increased from Rs 2,402.7 crore to Rs 3,699.81 crore.
The loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the Mumbai Metro 3 plan now stands at Rs 19,924 crore, up from Rs 13,235 crore in the previous projections.
The rise in the Cost
According to a report in the Free Press Journal, the increased time required for excavation due to basalt rock, the use of bottom-up construction technology for space needs, additional costs incurred due to rocky layers and to remove them, and the construction of steel decks for road traffic to enable the construction of underground stations in congested areas are some of the causes of cost inflation.
In addition, the Metro 3 project will include eight carriages instead of the Delhi Metro’s six.
After allowing work on Metro 3 Car shed in Aarey Colony in Goregaon (East), the state government gave its approval for the rise in project costs. The loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the plan now stands at Rs 19,924 crore, up from Rs 13,235 crore in the previous projections. According to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Cabinet approved a proposal to send JICA a new request to enhance the loan amount.
Beginning of the Project works for the Metro
In 2016, construction on the 33 km-long subterranean stretch from Colaba to SEEPZ by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) began. There are 26 underground stations throughout the whole route.
The Metro line will be expanded by 2.5 km from Cuffe Parade to Navy Nagar, and a total of 27 stations will be built, with an estimated additional cost of Rs 2,031 crore, according to then-Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar.
The project’s first phase, from Bandra to SEEPZ, was supposed to be finished by December 2021, and its second phase, from Bandra-Kurla Complex to Colaba, by June 2022. The MMRCL is currently planning to finish the first phase by January 2024 after experiencing numerous delays.
Aarey Car Shed Roadblock
Devendra Fadnavis’ administration at the time suggested building a Metro 3 car shed in Aarey Colony. Aarey, a small area of forest in Mumbai, used to be connected to the nearby Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In 2016, the park’s eco-sensitive zone was established in some areas of Aarey.
Massive protests occurred, however, and petitions were filed in the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court opposing the decision to build the metro shed in the area after the MMRCL, under the Fadnavis government, cut down more than 2,000 trees in the area for the construction of the car shed in October 2019.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray cancelled the vehicle shed project in Aarey after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed in November 2019 and declared relocation of the scheme to a swampy, salt pan location of Kanjurmarg. The Central government claimed a stake in the territory, and the Kanjurmarg area was mired in legal disputes.
Aarey depot in Mumbai Metro 3 is rushing to meet the April 2023 deadline.
The state government is making all possible efforts to keep the Metro 3 vehicle shed at Aarey. The car shed for the underground Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) would be ready for Phase 1 operations by April 2023, said Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) on Thursday. Bhide claimed that since the Phase 1 length between BKC and SEEPZ is slated to open in December 2023, work is moving along at a rapid pace.
As per Bhide, the strategy has undergone several adjustments in order to fulfil the deadline. He stated that, “To ensure that the depot work is expedited, we are currently in discussions with our consultants. Additionally, the work that has to be done for the depot in order for Phase 1 to operate has been prioritised”.
Although the operations control centre (OCC) is an important and crucial part, she stated that a backup is available at the BKC station, even the OCC is delayed for some reason. Bhide also said that BKC had always planned to have an OCC provision. With an OCC at BKC and a stabling line for nine rakes at Aarey, the commissioning of Phase 1 can be proceeded. Bhide said. Bhide noted that 29% of the depot work was already finished when a stop-work notice was issued.
According to Bhide, the line would need 55 rakes by 2050, which may demand an additional hectare of land. “However, consideration of more land won’t begin until beyond 2040. The needs could change as technology develops over the next few years, as there may be some room in the station area as well to stabilise rakes, she added.
Civil construction works of Phase I reportedly is completed to an average of 84%, with tunnelling work completed hundred percent, with completion of approximately 43% of system work, as per MMRC. The trial run is expected to be called three months prior to the intended deadline because the Phase 1 works would be commissioned by December 2023. The entire Phase is expected to be completed by June 2023, according to Bhide.
Bhide emphasised that the ticket price will stay the same as other planned metro lines despite the increase in project costs.
