MMRDA to consult govt over CBM metro line delay

While the 32-km Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd (CBM) Metro corridor remains untouched even three years after the bhoomipujan was conducted by Mumbai Metro Transport Private Limited (MMTPL), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now decided to take the opinion of the state government to find a way out. On August 24, MiD DAY had reported about the MMRDA urging MMTPL to begin work on the proposed corridor (‘Get on with work: MMRDA tells contractor').

Where's the metro? The proposed site for the CBM Metro rail car shed near Inorbit Mall at Malad. File pic

However, even after three months, the situation has not changed.

Speaking to MiD DAY, a senior MMRDA official requesting anonymity said, "As the contractor has not begun the work despite reminders to start as soon as possible, we are planning to take the opinion of the state government on the issue so that we arrive at a conclusion."

Sources from the planning authority told this newspaper that MMRDA had also discussed the issue with MMTPL officials in the past. "In the meeting that took place between us and MMTPL officials, we requested MMTPL to start the work. I personally feel that it high time now, and so MMRDA should take a call and see to it that the issue is resolved logically."

The bhoomipujan ceremony of the project was conducted by the then president Pratibha Patil on August 18, 2009. Following the ceremony, however, only soil testing work has been conducted.

MMTPL had received conditional clearances for establishing car depots at Mankhurd and Charkop from the environment ministry as it falls under Coastal Regulation Zone.

However, following prolonged delays in construction of the Metro corridor, MMTPL may face the danger of losing its contract for the project.

Due to environmental hurdles as well as the delay in its implementation, the cost of the project has also escalated considerably from its initial estimate of Rs 7,660 crore. u00a0