As the ongoing work of the much awaited Metro-9 (Dahisar to Bhayandar) rail route gathers speed, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is said to be facing challenges to shift electrical utilities mainly the high tension (HT) lines and extra high voltage (EHV) at some points on this metro corridor.
However, the MMRDA claims to be realigning the existing HT/EHV lines on lattice towers obstructing the metro line as per AEML technical specifications while ensuring statutory nods such as horizontal clearance of 3.8 meters from building line and vertical clearance of 5.5 meters from building top in accordance to the Indian Electricity Act.
An extension of Metro 7 (Andheri East to Dahisar East), the Metro-9 is an eleven km long elevated corridor with eight stations.
However, the authorities are facing difficulties in shifting the overhead cables at Silver Park in Mira Road and near the flyover Bridge in Bhayandar. Since the overhead cables run on the middle of the road, they have to be shifted on either of the sides to pave the way for smooth metro work operations.
The authorities along with the service provider have chalked out a plan to erect monopoles to shift the cables.
However, the shifting of cables has faced resistance from residents staying in nearby buildings who fear that the high tension will create hurdles during redevelopment work of their buildings in future.
According to a MMRDA spokesperson, in order to ensure safety of building residents, a horizontal distance of 10 to 12 meters has been kept from building to live conductors and the proposed lines on monopoles will not create any hurdles even when present buildings are considered for redevelopment in future.
“Efforts were on to convince the residents and ensure that the work is not hindered“, said Deepak Khambit, an executive engineer attached to the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation.
With a collective price tag of around Rs 6,607 crore, the work on this corridor commenced in September last year and is expected to be completed in December-2024.
Replicating the Nagpur model, additional funds amounting more than Rs 217 crore will be pumped, to provide a double decker viaduct where three flyovers for automobiles will be built on the first level and the metro line will run on the second level running through the stretch of Kashimira road.
