CM likely to decide on Kanjurmarg plot by August-end
Mumbai : As the Mumbai Metropolitan Rail Corporation awaits the final decision from Chief Minister on the location for the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ corridor’s car depot, they have begun to weigh out options in case the plot at Kanjurmarg is opted for. If CM Devendra Fadnavis relents under pressure from citizens and environmentalists to relocate the car depot from Aarey Colony to Kanjurmarg, the 33.5-km corridor will have to be extended to Kanjurmarg. In such an eventuality, MMRC will not have to go back to Japan International Cooperation Agency for additional funds, the MMRC chief said. JICA is funding the Metro III corridor.
MMRC managing director Ashwini Bhide dispelled doubts that the funding of the extended corridor might throw the project off gear. According to estimates, the increase in costs in case of an extension to Kanjurmarg is around Rs 2,000 crore. The corridor from SEEPZ to Kanjurmarg will be an elevated one, which costs less than an underground corridor. “It is not necessary that we have to go back to JICA, which entails certain procedures. We have not had a detailed discussion on it, but MMRDA can fund the corridor,” Bhide said.
Another option, according to Bhide, would be, “MMRDA can fund the civil construction and we can approach JICA for systems funding.”
According to Bhide, the decision to house the car depot at either location will not hamper the progress and commissioning of the project. If the Kanjurmarg plot is delayed, MMRC can commission the corridor from the stabling lines at Aarey Colony. Sources said the chief minister’s decision is likely to be taken by the end of August.
An expert committee, appointed by the chief minister, has submitted its report with the option of a plot at Kanjurmarg as an alternative to Aarey Colony. If Kanjurmarg is given the go-ahead by the CM, the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ corridor will have to be extended by nearly 9 km up to Kanjurmarg. The committee has also kept the option of Aarey Colony alive with modifications, if the plot at Kanjurmarg, which is under litigation, isn’t given to MMRC in a stipulated time.
Bhide added, “If we don’t get Kanjurmarg (plot) in the stipulated time, we can go back to Aarey. We will have to double-deck the structure and around 1,800 trees will be saved from being axed in this modified plan. In all respects, we have a solution (now).”
Swapnil Rawal
