Western railway paves way for Metro at Andheri - DNA - 31/10/2011

Western railway paves way for Metro at Andheri

Published: Monday, Oct 31, 2011, 8:00 IST 
By Rajendra Aklekar | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

The Western Railway (WR) has finally begun work to create paths required for the Mumbai Metro Railway trains to pass over its lines at Andheri. It has invited proposals to shift the overhead electric equipment, foot overbridge and other railway paraphernalia to make way for the Metro rail bridge.

The phase I of the Mumbai Metro between Versova-Andheri and Ghatkopar intersects WR’s network near Andheri station.

While talks are still on between the Mumbai Metro Railway and the WR authorities for provision of traffic blocks for local trains, the latter has begun work on its premises to ensure that there are no further delays.

“Among the major works that the railways have planned to take up include dismantling of existing overhead structures and relocating them so that the alignment over which the Metro lines pass will be clear of them,’’ a senior official said.

“The other major work involves dismantling, demolition and shifting of the BMC foot overbridge in the north side of the station. The out-to-out bridge will have to be rebuilt at a new location.’’

This work is scheduled to be completed within two to eight months from the time it begins. By the end of the period, it is expected that the logjam between WR and Mumbai Metro will get solved. While the railways are ready to give a block, Metro authorities are seeking more time. The MMRDA has said it has requested the railways to provide for a five-hour block every week. They reportedly want at least 30 such blocks.

The railways said it would be difficult to make it five hours as there are more than 32 lakh passengers using the WR network every day for suburban trains.