Residents for Metro III diversion
MUMBAI: Enthused by the support of Mumbaikars to the proposed 34-km underground Metro line between Colaba and SEEPZ in Andheri via Bandra, hundreds of western suburb residents have demanded diversion of the underground route from Bandra up to Charkop, instead of the proposed elevated route.
The demand to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has the support of 33 residents' forums, which questioned the discrimination between the island city and suburbs in offering eco-friendly underground routes.
"Why can't the Bandra-Andheri route of Metro III be diverted towards Charkop, and another underground route between Bandra and Bangur Nagar via Kalina, JVLR, SEEPZ Andheri, Aarey and Goregaon be created? It will have more ridership and better space for development," the associations from Bandra, Juhu, Khar, Vile Parle and Andheri said.
The Bandra-Charkop section is part of the contracted second Metro line between Charkop and Mankhurd, whereas the Colaba-Bandra-Andheri underground line is yet to be contracted.
Some forums have taken up a legal battle against the proposed elevated track between Charkop and Mankhurd via Bandra, which they say will occupy space on S V Road, Link Road, the western express highway and at the Bandra-Kurla Complex, besides leading to congestion and pollution.
"The underground route helps avoid railway permission. Crossing highways, high-tension electricity wires, waiting for environment permission, the civil aviation ministry's nod, traffic congestion during construction work, destruction of trees, and sound and dust pollution can be avoided," said Sherley Singh of Save My Suburbs, which has the support of 31 forums.
Hansel D'Souza of the Mumbai Nagrik Manch congratulated MMRDA for proposing the first totally underground route but said it must be integrated with the Bandra-Charkop section to avoid congestion and pollution during and after construction, due to the proposed elevated route under Metro II.
"If we give a continuous underground Metro from Colaba to the far end of the western suburbs, it will be the city's 'spine' and prove to be a boon for decongestion. Since the Bandra-Charkop route of Metro II and Bandra-Airport-Andheri route of Metro III will become closely parallel, the proposed Bandra-Andheri section can be diverted via Kalina, Marol, SEEPZ, JVLR, Aarey and then Goregaon and Bangur Nagar to create a new route," he suggested.
Singh, on behalf of the Juhu Scheme Residents' Association, termed the experience of building an elevated Metro route between Versova and Ghatkopar via Andheri as 'disastrous' and requested the authorities not to repeat it. "The alignment will resolve environmental and traffic issues and the space crunch for building car depots and casting yards for both Metro lines, as Kalina, Aarey and Charkop can offer better space," she said.
An MMRDA official said, "If we change the route, we will have to do a fresh feasibility study. The cost will be thrice and it will lead to delays. But we will look into residents' suggestions."
MMRDA has contracted the 32-km Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro II to Reliance Infrastructure, but work is yet to commence as it is awaiting environmental permission for land for the car depot and approval to use the Centre's land for the casting yard.
"If we change the elevated route between Bandra-Charkop to underground, we will have to do a fresh feasibility study. New plots will be needed too and the cost will be thrice. New proposals will take time for state and central clearance and thus delay the project. But we will look into the residents' suggestions," the official said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Residents-for-Metro-III-diversion/articleshow/11622303.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Residents-for-Metro-III-diversion/articleshow/11622303.cms
