CM unveils Metro train; says MVA working faster than BJP

Thackeray also inaugurated Charkop depot; operation and control centre for Metro-2a, 7; common mobility card

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray on Friday unveiled the first indigenously-built metro train for Metro-2a (Dahisar-dn Nagar) and Metro-7 (Dahisar E-andheri E). Thackeray also inaugurated the Charkop depot, an operation and control centre for the two lines and a receiving substation at the depot; a branding manual, and a common mobility card designed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). He said compared to its predecessor, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is completing works at a faster pace.

The driverless-enabled Metro rake that Thackeray unveiled on Friday had earlier been unveiled in Bengaluru by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra’s urban development minister Eknath Shinde, who had visited Bharat Earth Movers Limited’s (BEML) manufacturing unit. Shinde on Friday said, “The two Metros will be operational in the next four months. Work on rest of the lines is also in progress.”

The trial runs for the two Metros are expected to begin in March and commercial operations are expected to start from May 2021, officials said.

“The coming years are very important for Mumbai. With the Metro network, coastal road, Goregaon-mulund Link Road, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and Samruddhi Corridor, commute in Mumbai will be different,” Thackeray said at the unveiling on Friday. “I am not saying that the previous government did not undertake works, but we are completing works at a faster pace,” he said.

Previously, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which led the previous state government, had criticised MVA for staying Metro-3 (Colaba-bandra-seepz) works.

Metropolitan commissioner of MMRDA RA Rajeev said this was “the first Make-in-india train” and was at par with international metro trains. He said that 120 kms of metro network will be completed by 2022.

At the event held at Charkop depot, seven women train operators and controllers welcomed the dignitaries.