Metro-2, 7 corridors to be linked

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have decided to integrate the Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro-2 corridor also known as Metro-2A and Andheri east-Dahisar east Metro-7 corridor at Dahisar to provide east-west connectivity in the western suburbs.

The implementation of the 18.5 km long Metro-2 will be carried out by the DMRC whereas MMRDA is the implementing agency for the 16.5 km Metro-7 corridor.

According to the initial plan, both the lines were to terminate at Dahisar. Metro-2 would terminate at the linking road in Dahisar (west) and the Metro-7 corridor at Western Express Highway in Dahisar (east).

“Now, after studying the linking corridors, both the MMRDA and DMRC have come to a conclusion to link them both at Dahisar by constructing additional slabs of bridge to link both Metro-2 and Metro-7. Once these corridors are connected there will be east-west connectivity via Metro in western suburbs,” said a MMRDA official.

Also, DMRC, the interim consultant for Metro-7 corridor, had in its detailed project report (DPR) suggested that MMRDA extend the Metro-7 corridor from Andheri-east up to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in order to have north-south connectivity as Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro-3 underground corridor would later act as a interchange Metro station for Metro-3 and Metro-7 corridor.

“Linking both the Metro-2 and Metro-7 corridor is a good idea. We already have Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad Metro where two corridors have been linked for interchanging or transferring rakes (rolling stocks) for various reasons, including maintenance, rake balancing and depot sharing. However, in case of Mumbai, both Metro-2 and Metro-7 corridor ends at Dahisar and so it is a logical decision to give east-west connectivity,” said PK Sharma, project director, DMRC.

Apart from Metro-2 corridor, the DMRC is also likely to be roped in as the implementing agency for the DN Nagar-Mankhurd-Mandala Metro-2B corridor and Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavali Metro-4 corridor on turnkey basis.