Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who flagged off trial runs for the city’s two new metro rail lines on the Charkop-Dahisar-Aarey route of Metro 2A and 7 today was shocked to see heavy vehicular traffic in Mumbai today. The CM while addressing at the event said that if this kind of traffic continues, stricter curbs will have to be imposed. His statement comes a day after his address to the state when he discussed about various issues concerning COVID-19 with the people of the state.
During his speech today he said, "I was wondering if I said anything about restrictions being lifted last night but I did not." Looking at the theavy traffic he also said that stricter curbs will have to be imposed.
Yesterday, Uddhav Thackeray announced the extension of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown till June 15. He lauded the citizens and the administration as the recovery rate in the state has increased and the death rate has decreased significantly. However, the Chief Minister noted that the cases are rising in the rural areas, which is a cause of concern. He added that the virus has mutated and is more lethal, fast-spreading and also it is now taking time for the patinets to recover.
However, the traffic that snarled at the Western Expressway clearly indicated that the restrictions imposed by the state government are not being followed completely following which the CM expressed disappointment at the event despite urging the state to follow the protocols and rules amid pandemic outbreak.
Many cars, trucks, bikes were observed near Kandivali area where the inaugral event also took place. Talking about the Metro 2A and 7, the two lines will be fully operational from January 2022, with the first phase of Metro-2A (Dahisar-Aarey) and Metro-7 (Dahanukarwadi to Aarey) commencing from October. Environmentalists claim this to be a good example of showcasing how two or more metro lines can coexist in a single carshed. The green brigade is questioning the status of the composite carshed planned at Kanjurmarg for at least three metro rail lines - Metros 3, 4 and 6.
In the current instance, Metros 2A and 7 will temporarily share a carshed at Charkop.
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