Maharashtra govt approves 2 Metro projects worth Rs 15,088 crore

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There are just two missing links. A feasibility study is underway and they would be soon incorporated in the Metro circuit, according to Fadnavis.

Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro 5 which will be a 24-km stretch will have 17 stations. These include Kalyan station, APMC, Sahajanand Chowk, Durgadi Fort, Kon Goan, Gove Gaon, MIDC, Rajnouli Village, Temghar, Gopal Nagar, Bhiwandi, Dhamankar Naka, Anjur Phata, Purna, Kalher, Kasheli, Balkumbh Naka and Kapurbawdi.

The 14.5 km Swami Samarth (Lokhandwala)-JVLR-Kanjurmarg Metro will have 13 stations, Lokhanwala Complex, Adarsh Nagar, Momin Nagar, JVLR, Shyam Nagar, Maha Kali caves, SEEPZ village, Saki Vihar Road, Ram Baug, Powai Lake, IIT Powai, Kanjurmarg (W), Vikhroli-Eastern Express Highway.

While launching a special Metro logo designed by students of JJ School of Arts, the chief minister said, “Mumbai is now a ‘metro’ in the real sense of the term. Mumbaikars will find travel both comfortable and time saving.” The Metro network is expected to help ease congestion in local trains which are often overcrowded, specially during peak hours.

While reiterating that fast tracking of these projects will not be compromised, he said, “In the past it took eight years to go ahead with ten km of metro. Whereas, in two years we have set the process rolling for the entire 172 km.”

Two other projects sanctioned at the meeting are, 500 wi-fi spots in Mumbai and widening of rail over bridge at Kopri. The government will set up 1200 wi-fi hot spots across Mumbai.

In the first project, the government has approved Rs 194 crore for 500 wi-fi hot spots, which will be identified by the Maharashtra Information and Technology Corporation.

The Rs 259 crore project to widen the Rail Over Bridge at Kopri, Thane (East) is to decongest and streamline traffic. The existing two plus two lane bridge will give way to a new four plus four lane bridge with service roads.

According to MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan, “The projects are moving as per plan. We will have to acquire 15 hectares of land for each of the three depots. The issues related to utilities and other aspects will have to be worked out.”