MMRC Managing Director Ashwini Bhide has assured the public that the commissioning of the entire line will not be stopped.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation has announced that two stations on the city’s upcoming Metro Line 3 i.e. Colaba-Bandra-Seepz line will not be operational for the first few months after the completion of the corridor in July 2024. Kalbadevi and Girgaum stations are included in Package 2 (CSMT to Grant Road) of the project which mainly covers the city and runs from BKC to Cuffe Parade. (Two stations will not be operational in 2024 on Mumbai Metro Colaba Bandra SEEPZ Line 3)
Despite the setback, MMRC Managing Director Ashwani Bhide has assured the public that the commissioning of the entire line will not be stopped. However, the area where the two underground stations are being built is difficult to navigate due to narrow roads, dilapidated buildings, historic buildings and winding roads.
The construction has affected 420 residential units and 290 commercial blocks in Girgaum-Kalbadevi, besides 30 buildings spread over 20 land parcels and six non-contiguous blocks.
The construction of the two stations is expected to be completed by August or September, using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). Although the delay is inconvenient for those who will be using the two stations, Metro 3 will still have connections with the suburban train system at Churchgate, CSMT, Mumbai Central and Mahalaxmi stations. Apart from this, Charni Road, Grant Road and Dadar stations are also close to the corridor.
Metro Line 3 is set to significantly reduce road congestion as vehicular traffic is estimated to derive about 85% of its ridership. Furthermore, Metro 3 primarily travels through areas that are not currently served by local train networks, but have developed into important growth centers in recent decades. The line will also pass through important religious places including Mahim Church, Mahim Dargah and Siddhivinayak Temple.
