Mumbai Metro reality check - Hindustan Times
31st Oct, 2010
Mumbai Metro reality check
Is the Mumbai Metro another Commonwealth Games in the making? Between 2004 and 2009, and with costs rising from Rs 19,500 crore to Rs 47,500 crore, what does the MMRDA have to show? Not a single station, not a single track.
The MMRDA has shown no accountability towards costs, nor any commitment in terms of time. Here some facts about the Versova-Ghatkopar elevated
Metro stretch: There are 12 stations planned, of which construction of only two stations has reached up to slab levels.There is no clarity about the Metro bridge over the Andheri rail tracks. The work on just two columns of the Metro bridge over the Andheri flyover is going on for the past 12 months. MMRDA does not have access to at least 3 km (out of 11.8 km) because of congested roads, litigation issues and unmapped utilities. Clearly, this route cannot be completed before 2018. MMRDA’s claim to complete the project before 2010 (now March 2011) is a hoax.
An underground Metro is what we need
The Metro is planned on the only arterial roads connecting the suburbs to the island city. These roads are narrow and congested.
MMRDA is planning a commercial complex of 44,000 sq ft over each of the stations, which will be at a distance of every 1 km and in the middle of these roads.
More than 1 lakh sq ft of footpaths will be taken over to accommodate stairs, escalators and elevators apart from hundreds of BEST bus stops.
Given the situation, an underground Metro for the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd route is the best way to go.
Legal tangles
The entire project is sanctioned on the pretext of constructing tramways because under the old Tramways Act the government can construct tramways in the middle of road, without permission of the railway ministry under the central government.
The Kolkata and Delhi Metros operate under Indian Metro Rail Act. Where’s ours?
Discriminating against the 'burbs
The underground Metro is built on an advanced tunnel technology, which runs at least 40 feet below the ground so as to not disturb existing utilities.
The MMRDA is constructing underground lines under the Bombay High Court, Oval Maidan and Crawford Market. Why is there a different policy for the suburbs?
(Sherley Singh is an activist and Juhu resident)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
RESPONSE ON "CENTRE REFUSES FUNDS FOR COLABA TO BANDRA METRORAIL"
LINE III: COLABA TO BANDRA METRORAIL:
Hindustan Times -16th Oct 2010
DNA – 16th Oct, 2010
As expected – it is happening – Mumbaikars will never see the 3rd line of Metro between Colaba to Bandra – Now Centre says ‘No’ to subsidies required for ` 12000 Crores Project.
It is perplexing that no PPP partner came forward after 1st and 2nd line awarded to Reliance Infra. Although the ridership would be 43% between Bandra /Colaba, on this route, compared to 16% between Bandra / Mankhurd.
Consider the Following equation:
| COST OF 3rd LINE (20 km route) | 10km Underground 10km Elevated | @ @ | ` 600/- Cr./Km. ` 200/- Cr./Km. | ` 4000/- Cr. ` 2000/- Cr. ` 8000/- Cr. | ` 400 Cr./Km. |
| COST OF 2 nd LINE (32 km route) | Fully Elevated | | | ` 11,500/- Cr. | ` 360 Cr./Km. |
Now let the Citizens decide whether it is justified to spend `11,500 /- Crores. When the entire project is heading towards bankruptcy OR invest marginally higher amount of ` 40 Cr./Km. which shall be beneficial for the city of Mumbai for next 100 years.
Nitin Killawala: Architect
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
RESPONSE ON “METRO WAIT TO GET LONGER” -DNA 7th October 2010
“METRO WAIT TO GET LONGER”
Reported in DNA dated 7th October 2010
The sum and substance of the survey is not to point out inefficiency of the construction work, but to showcase innumerable hurdles and almost impossible task to construct Elevated Metro Rail on congested Arterial Roads.
However it also proves irresponsible promises deliberately given by authorities to deceive millions of citizens.
As reported, Mr. Dilip Kawathkar “refutes allegations” - about the progress of work. Why should one allege when the facts are so obvious for everyone to see.
As stated by him, “other works such as the rolling stock procurement are also going at a rapid pace” – has no substance when incomplete civil works for Via Duct itself will be a hindrance for laying of rail tracks, signaling system and other advanced instrumentation work required for any Metro Rail. It is a common sense that no railway can function with even few centimeters of incomplete work. (It’s like buying an Air-conditioner without having any clue of the house getting completed and no thought given to even power supply !)
We all have seen a sample rolling stock brought about six months back only to be protected against getting rusted in the yard.
Regarding dates of completion it is a scary situation. MMRDA themselves has agreed - “The Concessionaire will provide the project completion schedule in terms of time and not necessarily calendar dates”. Is there any need to elaborate further ?
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Nitin Killawala.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
RESPONSE ON ‘OUR METRO IS RUNNING LATE’ MUMBAI MIRROR 5th OCT
ARTICLE IN MUMBAI MIRROR DATED 5th OCTOBER 2010 (PAGE 2) –
‘OUR METRO IS RUNNING LATE’
At last the press is recognizing and accepting citizen’s predicament. For all of us it’s a matter of grave concern that a senior officer of Government’s Fire Department has pointed out blatantly about the safety aspect for a mega Rail project with which we have to nurture atleast for a hundred years, unlike 15 days extravaganza of Commonwealth Games.
Although the report is in details with pictures of doom, some issues need explanation :
1. WORK AT STATIONS :
Generally Elevated Stations for Metro Rail are not massive structures because maximum length of Metro train is 135 mtrs. However, for reasons best known to MMRDA each station is almost 200 mtrs. long, spread over 75,000 sft. of built-up area. As reported, only 3 stations out of 12 stations are now visible. It is pertinent to note that 4 stations (out of these 12 nos.) fall under ‘HIGH RISE’ category, which means they are above the height of 7 storey building.
2. NO FIRE DEPARTMENT NOC :
Apart from the candid statement by the CFO, we understand the Authority has not even applied for separate NOC for Via Ducts and the massive Metro Rail yard at Versova.
3. ONLY 247 PILLARS ARE READY :
In other words 40% of civil work of RCC Columns, which supports the Via Duct itself has not even commenced. Not to mention precise laying of rail tracks, signaling system, advanced electrical installation, etc. will follow only after completion of entire length of about 12 kms. of Via Duct.
4. MMRDA CONFIDENT :
The Joint Project Director of MMRDA has audacity to say “The civil work will be over as per the new deadline of June 2011”. Whatever pictures of under construction works are printed are depicting the work of last 30 months therefore it only needs common sense that MMRDA’s statements are intentionally false and misleading to the exchequer. The new deadline announced just last week in place of original deadline of December 2010.
The truth is the contractual completion date is upto mid 2013 and work will not be completed before 2018. Therefore the exchequer will have to pay crores of rupees by way of damages alone to the Concessionaire.
If anyone wants to reconfirm the progress schedule, may please visit MMOPL website www.mumbaimetro1.com/HTML/project_update.html.
Now it is for the citizens to decide in which way we penalize our regulating Authorities as well as their high handed officers when not only they deliberately give false statements but show total disrespect to their own fellow officers and vital regulating authorities.
Needless to say, the sufferings and hardships of Mumbaikars will keep on going !
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Nitin Kilawala
Monday, October 4, 2010
Response to – UNDERGROUND OR OVER ? U-TURN IIT PROF LEAVES MMRDA CONFUSED
SUNDAY MIDDAY – OCTOBER 3, 2010
It appears in 2003, IIT and TCS were consulted while preparing Metro Rail Master Plan for the city of Mumbai by DMRC.
Generally, these Master Plans indicate various alignments across the city and its impact on existing Development Plan. It does not suggest whether to run Metro routes as Elevated, Underground or on Surface.
Exact of location of stations and detailed map of via ducts are then prepared after in-depth survey of the physical condition of the proposed alignment, as well as its integration with other modes of public transport.
The detailed report prepared by IIT in September 2009, ought to have been initiated by MMRDA (and not citizens). Infact we are deeply concerned for high capital intensive projects like Metro Rail should have all options worked out with sufficient reasons for each of them, before it is implemented.
We the citizens reiterate that Metro Rail projects are not profitable and it’s a fate accompli. Therefore whatever resources we spent should be most appropriate and accountable with commitment to time.
Nitin Killawala: Architect
Friday, October 1, 2010
HT: Movement Against Metro: 1-10-10
The title "The Movement Against Metro" is misleading- It should read "Movement for Under Ground Metro"
As reported "The Movement will bring together all people affected by the elevated Metro-----------" Actually everyone who wants to live in Mumbai will be affected, because all our arterial roads will be ruthlessly choked.
We the Suburbanites- both Eastern and Western, are profusely Begging for Under Ground Metro, So that we shall have wider and safer roads, better footpaths, more buses, more trees, opportunities for cycling tracks and much needed Integrated Public Transport System.
All the locations for Under Ground Metro shall open up a golden opportunity to revamp under utilized maidans, bus depots, parking lots as well as revitalizing SRA Schemes and other encroachments.
As reported in the article Mr. Gaikwad has now brought out an additional cost of Rs.56,000 crores for Under Ground Metro which is totally out of context as far as Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd route is concerned.
Simple Calculation: 32 Km @ Rs. 500 Cr =. Rs 16000 Crores (for Under Ground Metro)
Less: RelianceInfra's Commitment for CBM Route = Rs 11000 Crores ( (for Elevated Metro)
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Difference in Cost = Rs 5000 Crores
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Now it is a matter of obvious equation for all of us in the Suburbs to decide, whether to flout Rs. 11000 Crores and destroy the city or invest an addtional Rs. 5000 Crores which shall be blessed by many generations of Mumbaikars to follow!
Sherley Singh
Save Our Suburbs
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