Mumbai Metro-Connecting safely and efficiently

How It Began

To find options for improved, comfortable, environment-friendly, efficient and economically viable Mass Transit Systems, the Government of Maharashtra undertook a feasibility study through Indo-German Technical Co-operation from 1997 to 2000. The consultants, TEWET, along with DE-Consult and Tata Consultancy Services, recommended a mass transit corridor from Andheri to Ghatkopar. MMRDA updated this study in 2004. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) prepared the master plan for Mumbai Metropolitian region, emphasising on the Andheri-Ghatkopar section. The Government of Maharashtra then declared the project as ‘public vital infrastructure project’. MMRDA was appointed as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) by the Government of Maharashtra.

The process of Mumbai Metro began taking shape in mid 2003 when the original rapid-transit plan was updated. This was done to facilitate an elevated LRT system (10kms) between Andheri and Ghatkopar that would go through Asalpha, Marol, Chakala and Saki Naka. In 2004, MMRDA announced its master transit plan, now known as Mumbai Metro, that was to be 146kms long with 32kms of it being underground. In the same year, the government gave its nod for a 13-station elevated light rail line between Ghatkopar and Versova.

While MMOPL was formed in December 2006, the Engineering and Project Management Consultants – a consortium of Parsons Brinkerhoff of the USA and Systra SA of France – joined it in February 2007. The Concession Agreement was signed by MMOPL in March 2007 and the State Support Agreement was signed by MMOPL and the Government of Maharashtra in April 2007. The construction on VAG corridor began in 2008.

Research and studies: The project required intense homework after foolproof planning. All this included a topographic survey, geotechnical investigations, condition survey of adjoining structures, logistic survey, utility survey, mock-up trials for girder movement, conceptual designs for the viaduct and stations, station access management study and traffic management

Not just another train service

Mumbai Metro is not another train service. It is a Mass Rapid Transit System that will fill the gap in connectivity between eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai as the existing train system predominantly caters to the connectivity of northern and southern parts of the city. An upgraded and expanded transport system, it is going to be constructed exactly on the lines of Metros built all over the world. The Metro will run on a dedicated elevated corridor with provisions for lifts and escalators at stations, modern automatic fare collection system and very high passenger security system. It gains significance in the view of the fact that the existing transportation systems like local trains and BEST buses are saturated, passengers of private vehicles that clog the city’s roads owing to heavy traffic need to be diverted to the public transportation system and passengers crave for a faster and safer transport system as roads do not guarantee safe travel. The project will provide rail based access to MIDC, SEEPZ and other commercial developments, thus making it easy for the working population of these areas to travel to work.

Says Maheshwari, “Mumbai Metro, with its state-of-the-art technology but at the same time, ‘tested and proven’ technology will give the city of Mumbai a future proof mode of travel. We have taken into consideration the high congestion of Mumbai and can assure with confidence that Mumbai Metro can handle a huge amount of flow of passengers.”

Vag Corridor

The Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro corridor comprises 12 stations and will be 11.40kms long double line on elevated viaduct with 1435mm wide Standard Gauge. There will be elevated viaduct with pre-stressed pre-tensioned full span U giders and ballastless track. It crosses the JOG Flyover on Western Express Highway at a height of 22m by a Cable Stayed Bridge. Extended Pier caps have been designed to avoid Piers at the centre of any Traffic Junction to allow larger spans. These are being constructed for the first time in the world for Metro Projects.

The VAG corridor, that will provide the first much needed east to west rail connectivity (which has always remained a challenge to the city’s transport planners) and is initially designed to carry about six lakh commuters daily, will reduce the travel time from the existing 90 minutes to 21 minutes. This will, in turn, reduce vehicular traffic along the corridor. The levels of safety and world class features and facilities are its USPs. The frequency of the trains will be 3.5 minutes that will increase to 3 minutes in peak hours. The main aim behind constructing this corridor is to provide a rail based mass connectivity within an approach distance of one to two kilometers to the commuters and also connect the areas that are not connected by the existing suburban rail system.

On the basis of the traffic data, initially four coaches are proposed in the trains. If the need arises though, all the stations can accommodate six coaches in the future as they are designed so. The axle load capacity is 17 tons, the 3.20 meter wide rolling stock will have stainless steel body, the seating arrangement will be longitudinal and a four coach unit will carry 1500 passengers. The car depot will be near DN Nagar Metro Station. The Operational Control Centre (OCC), Metro Head Office and the maintenance depots will be based in the car depot office. The maintenance depots for Line 2 will be at Charkop and Mankhurd.

Says Ratnakar Gaikwad, former Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA (now Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra): “Mumbai was in utter need of a Mass Rapid Transit System as we face constraints on expanding the roads further. Moreover, while we march ahead on making Mumbai a city that is at par with any developed city in the world, transport is one area we need to focus heavily upon. What is a city without a good transport system where people can travel in a relaxed manner without looking at travelling as a struggle they must face before reaching anywhere? We are committed to providing an easy, safe and modern travel system to Mumbai and that’s why we are not just providing a MRT system but have concentrated keenly on modal integration as well.”

The Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd (CBM) corridor, when it will be taken up, will have a length of 33kms with 28 stations that will be host to about 14 lakh commuters daily in the opening year itself. Along with providing north to south connectivity, it will also help in direct connectivity between all the suburban rail lines, i.e. the Western, Central and Harbour lines. This will reduce the travel time at least by 75 to 90 minutes.