CITIZENS ATTEMPT TO DERAIL THESE METROS
While the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is looking at building several Metro lines in MMR by 2025, citizens are protesting against several of these projects
METRO-6
SWAMI SAMARTH NAGAR VIKHROLI
Citizens are protesting against the line, which will start at Swami Samarth Nagar in Lokhandwala junction and pass through Powai, Jogeshwari-vikhroli Link Road
(JVLR) and touch the Eastern Express Highway at Vikhroli. Citizens are demanding the route be made underground to not affect the serene Powai lake and the already congested JVLR
METRO-3
COLABA -BANDRA -SEEPZ
Being implemented by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), this fully underground line is facing stiff opposition from citizens. Not only are citizens fighting to save Aarey (where authorities are planning a car depot for the line), but the project has also irked south Mumbai citizens over late-night work and the resultant noise.
The authorities have also locked horns with the Parsi community of Mumbai who are seeking a change in alignment as the route passes directly under two fire temples and Atash Behrams (sacred fires).
Cost Status: Work to begin soon Length: Expected daily ridership: In the first phase, the authorities will barricade the patch from Swami Samarth Nagar till IIT (Powai), which means motorists can expect chaos on the Western Express Highway and the already congested Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR).
METRO-2B
crore
DN NAGAR
DN NAGAR – BANDRA – MANKHURD
SWAMI SAMARTH NAGAR
JVLR For long, citizens have been demanding the Metro 2B line from DN Nagar to Mandale to be underground. Residents of Bandra, Khar, Santacruz and Juhu have held several meetings and protests in the past two years to make their demand clear
an underground line seems like a better solution,” said a citizen activist.
Architect Nitin Killawala said, “All elevated Metros in Mumbai are planned on major arterial
BANDRA
COLABA
roads. This alignment is also proposed on over-congested JVLR and Powai roads. Crowding these roads further will only result in complete chaos. Also, there is not much growth along this route,
VIKHROLI
SEEPZ
MANKHURD which makes it unviable for growth in ridership.”
Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, in-charge of the project, was not available for a comment.