CM signs deal for second Metro line Mumbai:
Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RIL) has already begun
recruiting personnel for the construction of the second line of
the Mumbai Metro. On Thursday, chief minister Ashok Chavan
signed an agreement with the company for the construction of the
32 km Charkhop-Bandra-Mankhurd corridor that is estimated to
cost Rs 8,250 crore. CEO of RIL, Lalit Jalan, said they have started recruitment of project managers and engineers for the construction work of the line which will have 27 stations and is expected to be ready by 2013. Soon after the signing ceremony at the chief minister’s residence, Jalan said the two biggest challenges for the construction will be getting a clear right of way along the route and the shifting of utilities like water, power, gas lines. When mediapersons pointed out that the first Metro line had been delayed, government officials denied this, saying that the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line was running ahead of time. The project will be built on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis in which the RIL-led consortium has been granted a concession period of 35 years. Of the total estimated cost of Rs 8,250 crore, the project will get a grant of Rs 2,298 crore as grant from the government. Chavan said the government has learnt lessons from the accidents which occurred on the first Metro line and will strive to make the second line safe. Third route will cost Rs 15,000 crore The third line of the Metro will run from Colaba to Bandra and then connect with the airport via the Bandra-Kurla Complex. MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said construction of the route is expected to cost Rs 15,000 crore and the letter of intent will be issued by December this year. Gaikwad said the 30-km line will be underground from Colaba to Mahalaxmi, connect Bandra with the BKC and then go underground to the airport. “It will benefit air passengers immensely.’’ Gaikwad said the fourth Metro line to be taken up will be from Charkop to Dahisar.
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