Tu unko India Phone laga aur puchh le... Humara sir mat kha....

Tu unko India Phone laga aur puchh le... Humara sir mat kha....

lol.......

Tu unko India Phone laga aur puchh le... Humara sir mat kha....

:lol:

FAIL^^
its less expensive if you call them and find out and post. you live right there next to it.


ok!

Tu unko India Phone laga aur puchh le... Humara sir mat kha....

:lol:

FAIL
its less expensive if you call them and find out and post. you live right there next to it.


Erm...yes. That makes sense.

Tu unko India Phone laga aur puchh le... Humara sir mat kha....

ROFL!:lol:

Metro Line 3 faces obstacles in planning stage itself (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-line-3-faces-obstacles-in-planning-stage-itself/371460/0)
Even as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the nodal agency for the Mumbai Metro Rail project, struggles to decide on a model for implementation of the third corridor, obstacles in executing this underground route are gradually beginning to surface.

The MMRDA, which is currently awaiting written communication from the Centre to kick-start work on the second Metro rail route — Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd— in the city, is now faced with a series of challenges on the third metro corridor between Colaba and Mahim in the planning stage itself. It includes issues like locating the plot for car shed and environmental concerns. “There are many ifs and buts in the third corridor. The Colaba-Mahim route has many issues like a car depot land and environmental issues as there would be huge quantity of debris and muck coming out as we need to go around 50 meters deep for the corridor...where and how to dump this waste, etc,” said Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner.

Since the third corridor requires a huge viability gap funding (VGF) of around Rs 9,000 crore, the execution has become quite a task for the MMRDA officials, sources said. “Colaba-Mahim is heavily dependent upon the VGF from financial institution like Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) on minimal interest rates, regardless of the model taken up for implementation,” Gaikwad said.
He added that currently the MMRDA is focusing on starting the work on the second corridor, which is behind the schedule by nearly two years due to the Public Private Partnership (PPP)-DMRC model debate. “There are arguments for and against the PPP and the government-funded models,” Gaikwad said, adding that since the Centre could not fund 20 per cent VGF for adopting the model like the Delhi Metro, the MMRDA had to go back on the PPP model for the second route.

Meanwhile, the debate sparked by DMRC chief E Sreedharan regarding a government-funded model for Metro rail projects has had little impact on the think-tank within the Maharashtra government. “The government-funded model is actually a good model, but funds from the Centre are an issue. We’re studying the possibility of using land as a resource to fund the remaining Metro corridors that can be done without Government of India’s funds,” Gaikwad said.

However, the first private player led by Reliance Infra to build the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor pointed out that the first route of Delhi Metro, which is on a government-funded model, took five years to complete despite DMRC chief’s claims that the first Metro Line, Mumbai Metro One, is progressing at a slow pace. “Despite challenges, Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) is geared up to complete the Line 1 project in three years’ time against the concession requirements of five years. Incidentally, DMRC took five years to complete their first section in year 2002,” stated K P Maheshwari, Director, MMOPL.

According to Maheshwari, Metro rail construction in Mumbai is challenging given the congested roads and issue of utilities. “Mumbai city, commercial capital of the country, is different from other cities like Delhi, Chennai on various considerations. The road area in the city is approximately seven per cent against 25 per cent in Delhi. All the roads are heavily packed with various utilities like water, sewer, gas, power, Telecom lines. The construction work is to be carried out in narrow roads in close vicinity of residential and commercial buildings. The construction activities are to be coordinated with multiple civic agencies. All this put together makes the construction work a big challenge in design and construction and hence not directly comparable to Delhi,” Maheshwari said.

its a good thing that no body is overly concerned by Mr. Sreedharan's comments.......

Four years later, Sewri-Uran rail link back on track (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Four_years_later_Sewri-Uran_rail_link_back_on_track/articleshow/3582026.cms)
also posted on the mthl thread

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has revived the Sewri-Uran rail link which was dropped four years ago. MMRDA, with the help of City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), has prepared the design of the link that will cater to the metro as well as suburban rail services.

Initially taken up by MSRDC, the project was abandoned following political pressure to expedite work on the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) between Nhava and Sewri. According to rough estimates, the project will require funds to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore, equal to the cost of the MTHL being funded by MMRDA and executed by the MSRDC. Confirming the move, G R Madan, director for mass rapid transit system (MRTS) of MMRDA, said, The blue print will be ready soon, after which the state administrations approval will be sought.

MMRDA spokesman Dilip Kawathkar said two tracks will be used on the linkstandard gauge for metro and broad gauge for locals. The World Bank is interested in funding the link proposed between Prabhadevi-Sewri-Nhava-(Uran)-Panvel, said an official.

Cidco and the railways have already expedited work on Nerul-Seawoods-Belapur-Uran rail link, which will be connected to the MMRDAs link at Uran, to strengthen the connectivity. The nine new stations to come up on this route are Kille Gaothan, Targhar, Baman Dongri, Khar kopar, Gavhan, Rajanpada, Nava-Sheva, Dronagiri and Uran. These new tracks will then be linked with another metro track proposed between the existing airport and the proposed airport at Panvel. This metro track will start from Charkop and pass through Bandra and Mankhurd, an official said.

According to the MMRDAs design, the metro link between Sewri and Nhava will be of 17 km and the rail corridor between Nhava to Panvel via the proposed international airport will be 20 km long. From Sewri, the metro link will be connected up to proposed Prabhadevi station to be built in the third phase of the metro rail project between Colaba and Bandra. The rail link between Sewri and Prabhadevi station will be around 8 km, the official added.

More govt share in Metro (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mumbai/More_govt_share_in_Metro/articleshow/3591866.cms)

The Mumbai Metro's third line from Colaba to Bandra, slated to cost Rs 12,000 crore, might be implemented on a new model in which the stat
e government becomes a majority partener and has a greater say in the project as compared to the private partners.

Senior government officers said that the new model is based on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) arrangement with Reliance Energy Limited (REL) for the new line that links New Delhi Railway station with the international airport at Palam.

If carried through, it will mark a departure from the model for the first line of the Mumbai Metro which is being done on the private public partenership (PPP) model in which the private company holds a majority stake. The second line is also scheduled to be built on this model.

Senior officials at Mantralaya pointed out that the new model will envisage the state government taking up construction of the pillars and the track of the railway line, while the private partener would take up the purchase of the rolling stock (rakes) and operate the line.

Officials estimate that the state government would spend 70% of the costs, leaving the private operator with a minor 30 per cent stake. Moreover, after operating the line for 30 to 35 years, the private party will hand it back to the government.

The first line of the Mumbai Metro, from Versova to Ghatkopar, expected to be ready in four years, is being implemented through a special purpose vehicle called Mumbai Metro One in which REL has the major stake with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and a French multinational Veolia holding the rest of the equity.

Both the first and second line, from Charkop to Bandra to Mankhurd, will be built by the special purpose vehicle and then operated for 35 years before being handed back to the government.

The discussion about changing the model follows close on the heels of senior officials of the state government having second thoughts about depending heavily on the private sector for running infrastructure pprojects.

"The Colaba-Bandra line will cost Rs 12,000 crore -- a high price -- as it is expected to be underground. It might not find many takers in the private sector as it is a huge cost,'' said officials. "So, it makes sense for the government to step in and try and increase its investment in the project,'' they said, pointing out that the model will help the government avoid viability gap fund that would burden the government exchequer.

Senior government officials in New Delhi and Mumbai have pointed out that relying heavily on the private sector has its drawbacks. They point out to the practice in most countries around the globe is to have government investment in transport projects.

This is a much better move by govt for Mumbai metro...I am glad they are capitalizing lead by Sreedharan nothing to be ashamed off if they changed their model.....When there is too much private role in any sector and especially transportation then it becomes really difficult for the people to take its benefits(UK is a live example) public transport is slowly getting unaffrodable especially trains as companies are more concerned with their profits...

First Metro line clears funds hurdle

MUMBAI: The city's first Metro line will not be mortgaged to banks. However, the 11 lakh commuters expected to use the Metro services daily are now being considered as the source for repayment of the Rs 1,194 crore loan taken from various financial institutions.

Announcing their action plan and a revised deadline for the first metro rail line between Versova and Ghatkopar via Andheri, Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) on Monday said the route will be ready by September 2010, 18 months ahead of the deadline of March 10, 2012, earlier set according to the project agreement between the Reliance Energy and the state government.

"The project has achieved monetary support. We have tied up all the funds for different works to ensure speedy construction work,'' said director of MMOPL K P Maheshwari. According to him, this is the first metro line in the country to get all financial clearances from the banking institutions involved and the government agencies.

He added that the financial closure came in today after IDBI, Corporation Bank, Karur Vyasa Bank, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and IIFCL (UK), who have provided loans for the work, confirmed that the project had potential to generate funds just through passenger tariff.

The debt has been raised amid a tight global liquidity position, based on a unique funding model, where the only recourse available to the lenders is the cash flow generated from the project. The repayment has also been structured in a manner that gradually increases over a period of time in sync with the increasing traffic revenue generated by the project. This model of financing for an urban infrastructure project is first of its kind for most Indian banks and financial institutions, said Maheshwari.

MMOPL started work on the project in February this year. "Now our project will not get stopped for funds at least,'' he said.

MMOPL is a joint venture between Reliance Infrastructure, Frances Veolia Transport and Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority. On Monday, they signed the loan agreements to raise debts totalling Rs 1,194 crore.

The project, being built at a cost of Rs 2,356 crore will have debt component of Rs 1,194 crore. While the equity is Rs 512 crore, MMRDA will provide a capital grant Rs 650 crore.

Source: Times of India

Bidding for Metro phase II: (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1198856)

January will also see the bhoomipoojan of the second phase of the metro railway corridor. There are seven parties in the fray for building the second line which will be between Charkop-Bandra and Mankhurd. All parties have been sent requests for proposals by MMRDA. The bidding process will be completed by December and the project will kick-start from January.

thanks for the updates Jubin.. both here and the monorail...

hope they can get both sections started by january...

Remember the Bhoomi poojan happened way back in 2006 and the construction started in 2008. Right now, people don't know what's going on with the Metro. No news, No pictures, nothing! It was stalled a few months ago.

SO now when they are planning for Bhoomi Poojan in 2009, when should we expect the starting of the construction??

i doubt it will go till 2012, it s only 1 line and a lot of ground work has been done (land acquisition) so the civil work wont take 4 years now!! If it does, the govt. should never ever give them a project again!!

Maytas has proposed to build 71KM of metro line in Hyderabad before that, that too with a lot of land acquisitions issues still remaining!!

With the way the world economy is right now, I hope there is no problem in providing funds for such infrastructure projects from the center and the state governments. Otherwise, such structures will remain half-completed...

With the way the world economy is right now, I hope there is no problem in providing funds for such infrastructure projects from the center and the state governments. Otherwise, such structures will remain half-completed...

It shouldnt a problem as Indian govt is not funding it 100% but it is taking soft loan from japan so dont expect fund shortage in at least Delhi,Mumbai,Bangalore as the work has already begun....

thanks for the updates Jubin.. both here and the monorail...

hope they can get both sections started by january...

thanks! i hope so too.

With the way the world economy is right now, I hope there is no problem in providing funds for such infrastructure projects from the center and the state governments. Otherwise, such structures will remain half-completed...

It shouldnt a problem as Indian govt is not funding it 100% but it is taking soft loan from japan so dont expect fund shortage in at least Delhi,Mumbai,Bangalore as the work has already begun....


The thing I was afraid of:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2008/10/21/003/21_10_2008_003_016.jpg

Source: Hindustan Times

Mumbai metro rail set to take off (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1203426)

Mumbai will have a metro railway project in four years as the central government has granted its ‘in principle’ approval for the viability gap funding of Rs 15.32 billion for its first phase, an official said on Tuesday.

“With this approval, the project will get a much-needed thrust and it will facilitate its completion within the next four years,” said Dilip Kavathkar, joint director, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The total cost of the first phase - which will link Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd suburbs spanning from the northwest to the mainland with a 38-km line, is expected to cost Rs.61.92 billion, out of which the central government has given its nod for the viability gap funding of Rs.15.32 billion.

The project is being implemented in a public-private partnership and the implementing agency will be decided soon, said Kavathkar.

The line will have a total of 27 stations and help improve the southern-northern and eastern-western connectivity, bringing relief to the Mumbaikars, apart from enabling significant savings in fuel and travel time.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who vigorously pursued the matter with the central government to get the viability gap funding approval, said that “the decision will help strengthen the Mumbai Metro Railway".

Work on second line of Metro rail to start in January: MMRDA (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/work-on-second-line-of-metro-rail-to-start-in-january-mmrda/374558/)

The work on the second line of the metro rail that’s to run between Charkop and Mankhurd via Bandra would start from January, the Metropolitan Commissioner announced on Thursday.

“The Request for Proposals (RfP) from seven shortlisted consortia would come in by December and we expect the work to start by January on the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd corridor,” said Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The seven consortia in the fray for the second metro rail corridor project in the city are GE India-L&T-CA-IDPL, Tata Power-Mitsubishi-Tata Realty’s Pioneer Infrastructure, GVK-Bombardier-YTL, IL&FS-Soma Constructions-Punj Lloyd, Essar-Alstom, Reliance Infra-SNC Lavalin and Reliance Industries Ltd-Siemens-Gammon India.

Meanwhile, as many as 14,000 families that would be displaced due to the construction of the car depot land at Charkop would be rehabilitated on the same plot, measuring around 50 hectares. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh at a meeting of the Democratic Front’s elected representatives held at the MMRDA headquarters.

“The chief minister cleared the issue of the rehabilitation of the nearly 14,000 families that would be displaced they will now be rehabilitated on the same land where the car depot will be constructed,” Gaikwad said after the meeting.

According to sources, the second metro rail corridor is expected to cost Rs 6,192 crore including a viability gap fund of nearly Rs 1,600 crore. “From Charkop, the metro rail would pass via Link Road and Linking Road, and then run parallel to the Western Railway line till Bandra. Then, it would cross the Western Express Highway.

After this, it would pass along the main road of Bandra-Kurla Complex —with a stop at MMRDA’s headquarters— and pass through Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg at Kurla to reach Mankhurd via HD Barve Road.

Some good news there man....

MMRDA ke babus ko Metro ke liye First class free main milega. The best thing is that it will stop right by MMRDA office in Bandra.

Waise, do you guys think there should be class-system in Metro just as we have it in the Suburban railways?

Some good news there man....

MMRDA ke babus ko Metro ke liye First class free main milega. The best thing is that it will stop right by MMRDA office in Bandra.

thanks mate.

Waise, do you guys think there should be class-system in Metro just as we have it in the Suburban railways?

i hate the class system in the trains and i hope that there isnt one on the metro/monorail, etc.

Work on second line of Metro rail to start in January: MMRDA (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/work-on-second-line-of-metro-rail-to-start-in-january-mmrda/374558/)


line 2!!!! What about line 1??? Its been 8 months since construction started and i haven't seen a single proper pic of progress so far!!!:bash:

Some good news there man....

MMRDA ke babus ko Metro ke liye First class free main milega. The best thing is that it will stop right by MMRDA office in Bandra.

Waise, do you guys think there should be class-system in Metro just as we have it in the Suburban railways?

I think class system should exist - the higher class coaches will help keep the ticket prices for lower classes low so that more poor people can afford them.
Else it will just remain a means of transport for middle classes. Also, encouraging higher-paying customers with additional facilities will help keep cars off the roads.

Of course, the ticket prices/number of high class coaches need to be regulated.

Well I think that there shouldn't be any class systems. This will be just another way of politicizing things.

Else it will just remain a means of transport for middle classes. Also, encouraging higher-paying customers with additional facilities will help keep cars off the roads.

Isn't it already one? Class or no class, it is another means of transport. I don't think that the metro should be treated as a luxury. It is being built because it is a necessity- a necessity to ease the traffic, a necessity to help people commute better.

What additional facilities should they be given?

The "class system" should be abolished when it comes to intra-city travel.

a class system will only encourage greater political intervention to keep ticket prices down. no need for that. the metro is an opportunity for mass travel in bombay to be priced at realistic market prices, so that service and quality does not suffer. lets not lose that chance

A metro is really not very long , 4-6 coaches at most. Creating classes will mean compromising on capacity , which leads to need for greater frequency , over crowded stations , more maintainance and operational costs , more acquisition expenditure.

I haven't been seeing any updates on this project man. The website doesn't do much good either. I have tried contacting them, but in vain.

This is seriously frustrating people. Earlier I used to receive prompt reply from KP Maheshwari and a girl named Rupali Jain. However, she ain't been replying either.

Can anyone in India call up and find out what's going on and why isn't the website updated?

a class system will only encourage greater political intervention to keep ticket prices down. no need for that. the metro is an opportunity for mass travel in bombay to be priced at realistic market prices, so that service and quality does not suffer. lets not lose that chance

But, even without a class system, there IS political interefernce in setting of ticket prices! The ticket prices of MM1 are set by govt not by Reliance. So, they are not market prices.



What would be the fare structure for the service?


The fares of Mumbai Metro would be very economical and quite comparable with the other dominant modes of public transport i.e. BEST buses etc. The fare structure is

* Rs. 6 upto 3 Kms.
* Rs. 8 between 3 Kms.to 8 Kms.
* Rs. 10 beyond 8 Kms.

# Fares indicated are for 2003-2004 level and shall be revised @ 11% every fourth year (rounded off to the nearest rupee). Fares shall be fixed by Government of Maharashtra, through a notification.

A metro is really not very long , 4-6 coaches at most. Creating classes will mean compromising on capacity , which leads to need for greater frequency , over crowded stations , more maintainance and operational costs , more acquisition expenditure.

If there are only 4 coaches i can understand. But, even when the suburban rail had 6 coaches, it had a first class - there was no problem then.

If you look at Indian railways, it makes its profits on higher classes and subsidizes the lower classes with that money.

In a country like India which is not homogeneous, has huge income inequality and has people coming from every spectrum of income - multiple classes might improve welfare for the whole society. Lower classes might pay lesser and be happy while higher classes get better service and be happy.

I think the important issue is - will additional costs of maintenance, etc. be offset by higher revenues on the 1st class coaches. I dont have the data. However, it is not obvious to me which answer is the correct one.

Qwerstyad, come on. With the kind of violence that was in Bombay a few days back, do you still want to be class system? Just imagine a few people in the first class coach and the second class packed with people. That's not the reason Metro is being built. Metro is being built to take some load off from the Suburban railways and help people travel comfortably.

MUMBAI: The state government on Wednesday issued a notification for construction of the second Metro line between Charkop, Bandra and Mankhurd. The
notification has asked people, who are likely to be affected by the 32-km line, to submit their suggestions and objections within a month, by December 3.

The urban development (UD) department on Wednesday issued the draft notification, appointing the MMRDA the nodal agency for construction of the second Metro line.

Officials in the UD department said those concerned could visit the MMRDA office to find if their house or shop would be affected. "The public has time till December 3 to raise objections or give suggestions for alterations. No objections will be entertained after the deadline,'' said an official.

The second Metro line, which will cost Rs 8,250 crore, will get Rs 1,532 crore from the central government in the form of a viability gap fund.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/2nd_Metro_line_State_issues_notification/articleshow/3678787.cms

class system in metro's is not a good idea... the point is mass transit should be exactly that!! the revenue should come from volumes and not discriminatory pricing. In Mumbai, i do not see volumes as a problem, so it should be more profitable for them to allow more passengers with lower fares than fewer with a split!!

Deadline extended for submission of bids for second Metro corridor (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Deadline-extended-for-submission-of-bids-for-second-Metro-corridor/382040)

he work on city’s second metro rail corridor between Charkop and Mankhurd via Bandra will now commence a couple of months behind schedule after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) extended the deadline for the submission of financial bids on Wednesday.

According to Metropolitan Commissioner, Ratnakar Gaikwad, the seven consortia in the fray for the contract to build the 32-km stretch unanimously asked for an extension, which was granted. “They asked for an extension to submit the financial bids and therefore we extended it by 45 days,” Gaikwad said. The deadline for the submission of the financial bids now is January 30.

The MMRDA had earlier planned to kick start work on line-two of the metro by January end, which will now start mid-March. “After the bids are in, the selection would take around a month’s time, following which the creation of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) and awarding of civil contract, etc would be done by April. So the actual construction is expected to start by June,” Gaikwad explained.

The total cost of the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd line is Rs 6192 crore, out of which the central Government has given its nod for the Viability Gap Funding of Rs 1,532 crore. The project is being implemented on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The metro rail corridor will have 27 stations.

HAHAHA

At one point, they try to give notices to people. The next thing they extend the deadline for submission of bids.

Delay, more delay. Nothing can be completed on time. These A-holes.!!!

Metro project: change in plan to overcome design clash (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-project-change-in-plan-to-overcome-design-clash/382302/)

One of the major impediments to the construction of the city's first metro rail corridor—clearance from the railways for the design of the section over the railway tracks at Andheri — is expected to be resolved soon, the Metropolitan Commissioner has said.

According to Ratnakar Gaikwad, metropolitan commissioner, the issue of the general agreement drawings (GAD) for a viaduct section across Andheri railway tracks, pending approval from the Railways, was discussed at a high-level review meeting of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro corridor.

“After discussions, the issue is by and large resolved and the height of the section would be brought down from its designed 14 metre,” Gaikwad told Newsline. It is expected that the height would be brought down to nine metre.

The railway authority, after giving approval in principle, had not cleared the GAD for the section since October 2007 and asked the Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) to modify the design, owing to the Union Railway Ministry's grand plan for an elevated railway corridor between Churchgate and Virar.

Gaikwad added that since the proposal of an elevated rail corridor came up the Railways had asked the MMRDA to elevate the metro viaduct to 23 metre so that the elevated corridor could go under the Metro corridor.

“It wasn't possible to take it that high as there was no scope for a ramp, therefore now the elevated corridor would go over the metro corridor,” Gaikwad added.

Meanwhile, the MMOPL is hopeful that clearance would be given at the earliest without hurting the construction schedule. K P Maheshwari, Director, MMOPL, said, “A meeting was held to discuss the issue. It's in an advanced stage of discussions and would be resolved soon.”

The section over the railway tracks is one of the most daunting challenges for the MMOPL. One challenge would be a cantilever bridge spanning 98 metre across busy railway tracks at Andheri — balanced on a pier on either side of the tracks. The two piers will themselves be tricky to build since the area outside the railway stations, especially on the western side, comprises narrow, crowded lanes with small, tightly-packed buildings. In fact, the pier on the western side of the tracks is located right outside a religious place.

MMRDA to use underground Metro stations to fund gap (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/MMRDA_to_use_underground_Metro_stations_to_fund_gap/articleshow/3682895.cms)

In a bid to reduce the Rs 9,000 crore viability gap funding (VGF) for the Metro rail's third line from Colaba to Bandra, the Mumbai
Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to exploit the commercial value of underground stations.The third line is expected to cost a whopping Rs 12,000 crore.

The government gives VGF to encourage public-private partnership in infrastructure funding. VGF is the sum assured by the government to private party or parties to ensure the commerciall viability of a project.

MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad confirmed this. He said the agency was indeed thinking about commercial exploitation of underground stations as well as land over ground near the stations. "We want to reduce this Rs 9,000 crore VGF substantially,'' he said.

MMRDA officials said the Centre will not be in a position to fund this as it funds only upto 40% of the total cost of the infrastructure project as VGF.

That was my main question. Here's what I am understanding:

Since the Metro was going to over the Suburban Railway line for the Versova Andheri Ghatkopar Corridor, I was wondering how are the going to implement the plan of Ek-ke-upar-ek elevated railway. Now, they are planning to reduce the height of Metro Railway elevation from 14 meters to nine meters to make way for the Railway's plan.

So at the Andheri Area-metro, we are going to have Suburban line on the bottom, Metro line passing over it, and another elevated suburban line from Churchgate to Virar.

This is some crazy stuff.

Metro rail project: ROW demand struck down (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-rail-project-row-demand-struck-down/383289/)

The consortium constructing the city’s first metro rail stretch is yet to get the entire right-of-way (ROW) it requires and now, the nodal agency for the Mumbai Metro Rail Project has struck down the demand of seven business consortia bidding for the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd corridor for 90 per cent ROW at the outset of the construction work.

Row is the access given to the contractor to carry out the construction work.

At a pre-bid meeting at Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) headquarters earlier this week, the representatives of the seven in the fray for the contract demanded 90 per cent ROW at the start of the construction of the 32-km corridor to minimise hindrances.

Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner, declined it stating that rehabilitation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) would be done while the work is in progress, as being done in the case of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor.

“They demanded 90 per cent ROW on the lines of the model concession agreement (MCA), which is yet to be approved. Giving 90 per cent ROW would be impossible and therefore encroachments along the route and at the car depot at Charkop would be settled as the work progresses,” Gaikwad told Newsline.

Bidders believe this could lead to several hurdles in construction once work orders are given, causing delays. It was the issue of the ROW handover by the MMRDA to the Reliance Infrastructure Ltd-led consortium that delayed the start of the construction of the 11.2-km Corridor One. Ten months after the Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd began the civil construction, the MMRDA is still to resettle PAPs at J P Road, Andheri and hand over the 200 metre stretch near Andheri station on both east and west sides.

MMRDA is still to demolish a hillock at Asalpha and construct a road before handing over a 600 metre stretch to the contractor. Another stretch from Saki Naka to Sarvodaya junction in Ghatkopar was still to be handed over to MMOPL. Contractors are still to start work on a 2.5-km stretch.

When asked whether the ROW issue would cause delays in the second corridor, Gaikwad said even for other large scale projects in the city, encroachments are cleared when the work is in progress.

Though, the MMRDA is still to survey PAPs on the route, the state government has given its clearance to rehabilitate nearly 14,000 displaced families on the 50-hectare car depot land in Charkop.

“We’re still to carry out a survey to determine the exact number of PAPs on the stretch,” said Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director (public relations).

Gaikwad said, “Most of the corridor would go through the Link Road, so there is no major problem. We expect PAPs in areas like Kurla, Mankhurd, etc.” According to a rough estimate, the MMRDA is expecting around 1,500 PAPs, excluding the displaced families at Charkop.

During the pre-bid meeting, MMRDA agreed to the demand of bidders to extend the last date for submission of fiscal bids by 45 days. Gaikwad said the extension of time will not delay the project significantly. The MMRDA had earlier planned to start work on the line two by January end, which will now start in March end. “After the bids are in, selection would take around a month, following which the creation of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) and awarding of civil contract, etc would be done by April. So the actual construction is expected to start by June,” Gaikwad added.

Here we go again. How typical is that?

i have a google maps mashup for the metro. it now has the 2 proposed metro lines in addition to the monorail. the alignment and station placement are approximate. it is the best i could do from the sources that i had.

metro/monorail map for bombay (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=113671294436248005146.00045b6296b43d46b9daf&ll=19.02431,72.871628&spn=0.12285,0.120335&z=13)

Great! thanks!

Great! thanks!

no worries, mate. leave a comment to help me improve it.

Delhi Metro chief against state roping in pvt firms (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Delhi_Metro_chief_against_state_roping_in_pvt_firms/articleshow/3710403.cms)

Allowing different private firms to construct and operate multiple Metro lines in Mumbai will create major problems in having

standardised operations__right from sharing infrastructure, ticketing costs to rolling stock, warned E Shreedharan, considered the father of the Metro rail revolution in the country.

Staunchly against having Metro projects with equity from private firms, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief on Thursday said Mumbai would face grave problems by having multiple companies owning and operating different lines in the same city. Sreedharan, also consultant to the Mumbai Metro, said that much against his wish, Maharashtra's planning authorities had gone ahead with the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model involving a private operator.

"They gave the first line (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) to the Reliance-ADAG consortium on a BOT basis. Now, the second line from Charkop to Bandra to Mankhurd will also be given to one of the seven shortlisted private consortiums,'' he said, adding that the DMRC model, involving state-Centre partnership, is the best option. "Will the operator of one line allow trains from another line on his track? Would commuters be able to use the same ticket across all lines operated by different companies? The state will find it difficult to integrate everything,'' he said.

Explaining his opposition to the public-private-partnership (PPP) model, Sreedharan said only six cities out of 175 using Metro across the world have roped in private firms in the venture. "Of this, Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur failed with their experiments. The governments had to take charge of the operations later to save the day,'' he told TOI after the inauguration of a new train plant in Vadodora by Canada-based Bombardier.

In what can stir up a hornet's nest in days to come, the Metro man said Maharashtra had wanted to execute the second line on its own. "However, they went ahead with the BOT. They told me that there was pressure from the Planning Comission, which wanted to take the PPP route and execute the project on a BOT basis,'' said Sreedharan. ...

he has a fair point. there are plans for at least 9 different lines. thats potentially 9 different companies. add in suburban railways, monorail operators and the best and you will have a nightmare setting and charging fares for a city-wide transport card

i dont know why the centre and the state are not working as closely as they do in delhi. why cant the dmrc model be copied all over india?

^^ the problem is funding!! DMRC got soo many concessions, the indirect cost to the state is much much more than the direct investment alone. IT is potentially 9 different companies, but it is easy to specify a unified requirements for rolling stock, signaling, tracks and ticketing systems. It requires co-ordination, but it is much better than endless delays because of lack of funds!!

He has a point, but the planning comission had already explained its inability to fund these projects. Especially considering they already have to pay for land acquisition and providing ROW.

he has a fair point. there are plans for at least 9 different lines. thats potentially 9 different companies. add in suburban railways, monorail operators and the best and you will have a nightmare setting and charging fares for a city-wide transport card

i dont know why the centre and the state are not working as closely as they do in delhi. why cant the dmrc model be copied all over india?

dmrc gets a lots of sops. plus the centre is more proactive there. business standard had done an analysis, see post 741 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=26197430&postcount=741)

not that i have any love lost for mmrda, but if sreedharan cannot convince montek singh ahluwalia then where is bombay going to get the funds from?

Two under way, seven start in a year: Metro corridors put on fast tack (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/two-under-way-seven-start-in-a-year-metro-corridors-put-on-fast-tack/385576/)

With the city’s first two Metro rail corridors now under execution, the project’s nodal agency is now planning to expedite the progress of the remaining seven corridors that together comprise the Mumbai Metro Rail masterplan with an ambitious target: to start work on these corridors in a year’s time.
A senior Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) official said that a plan is being worked out to speed up the process of taking up corridors for implementation. “We want to start work on the remaining corridors within the next one year. It’s not possible to start all of them in one go, but a plan to initiate the work on the seven corridors has been presented before Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh,” the official said.

A senior bureaucrat added that it is now essential to expedite the work on the Metro corridors rather than going phase wise as proposed earlier, under which the routes would all be operational only in 2021. “There is acute need for more transportation options in the city and going phase-wise would further burden the existing network by 2021,” the bureaucrat reasoned.

Interestingly, the MMRDA has made up its mind to opt for the public-private partnership model for the remaining corridors except for the “most challenging” Corridor III -Colaba-Bandra, which involves a high viability gap fund. The bureaucrat said that financial models would be cleared by the state government for each corridor separately, but at present PPP is the best option available for the MMRDA. This comes following a series of flip-flops on the funding model for the second route - after constituting the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation on the lines of the government-funded projects of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the state decided to revert to the PPP model for the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd corridor.

“As far as possible, PPP model would be adopted for remaining Metro routes expect Colaba-Bandra as the VGF is Rs 9,000 crore. For the third route we’re considering various options, but still there is no final decision on it,” the bureaucrat added.

According to the bureaucrat, the only hindrance with the PPP model is the VGF. “We can pose the VGF to Government of India like in case of the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd metro corridor. The other option is to raise it through sale of real estate,” he said.

The MMRDA also plans to utilise the space in the metro stations for commercial use to make the Metro corridors more financially viable. “This option is one of the key resource generators for MMRDA which will take care of the remaining corridors. With the commercial exploitation, we expect to bring down the VGF by nearly half the amount,” he said.

Oo this is a bit of a problem.. they cannot just start on all of them at once.. imagine the state of the city i they start digging up all the roads at once to work on the metro!!! bad bad idea!

I agree - Integration could be a problem. But, i can already see it - if the govt doesnt do it, some budding entrepreneur will do the ticket aggregation himself by dealing with the multiple systems (its only 10 systems - not a lot). Also, for the operators, it is in their interest to allow integration as it will raise revenues. By the way, ES talks about integrating mono, metro, etc, what about integrating bus and suburban tickets - they couldnt achieve that completely even now - what is he talking about?

I would prefer the govt be least involved in construction, operation and maintenance. We have given them a lot of opportunity with the suburban rail for the last 50 years and they have let us down.

The risk of govt controlled institutions is that once the good leader is gone they collapse - if ES goes i dont see a great future for delhi metro. With private, they are always under pressure to perform. Else they risk losing future contracts.

Oo this is a bit of a problem.. they cannot just start on all of them at once.. imagine the state of the city i they start digging up all the roads at once to work on the metro!!! bad bad idea!

Vilasrao deshmukh wants to make as much money as possible before his term gets done. :lol::lol::nuts::nuts::nuts::nuts:

^^^^

:lol:

Skdubai, don't forget that they will dig roads "for utility work". Actually then there won't be any flood problems. Water will go in these Holes and Mumbai will have million ponds and lakes.. No water shortage for drinking, taking dip in cleaning the butts...

ah, civic amenities at last ;)

Yes. So who says the government ain't working man?

Monorail catching up, may replace two metro corridors (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/monorail-catching-up-may-replace-two-metro-corridors/385949/)

With the decks being cleared for the country’s first monorail project to take off, the monorail idea is catching up fast. Monorail is likely to edge out a couple of metro stretches being planned in the city. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is thinking of replacing two Metro rail corridors that are part of the Metro rail masterplan with monorail instead.

The two corridors, one between Hutatma Chowk and Ghatkopar (21.8 km) and the other from Ghatkopar to Mulund (12.4 km) are being examined by MMRDA to see if monorail corridors could be a better option, as the two corridors pass through densely populated and congested areas. Monorail is believed to more flexible making it easier for it to make its way through congested areas. The monorail can take sharper turns unlike the metro system.

The 21.8-km Hutatma Chowk-Ghatkopar corridor is part of Phase II of the Metro masterplan, while the Ghatkopar-Mulund corridor is under Phase III of the masterplan chalked out by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

According to MMRDA officials, it is being debated whether a monorail or metro rail would suit the corridor which is lengthy as well as congested. “Since it is a densely populated route, monorail is better suited. But there is also a school of thought that says since a higher number of commuters is expected to use longer routes, Metro system could be advisable,” a senior MMRDA official revealed on condition of anonymity.

When queried about the proposal to replace the metro corridors with monorail, Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner said: “We’re examining the proposal of replacing the two corridors with monorail. No decision has been arrived at, as yet.”

An official, who favours the monorail system on the two corridors said, “Monorail is cost-effective. The length and density of the alignments make monorail a better option, as it can take sharper turns unlike the metro rail. We’re also exploring if the route could be undertaken on a public-private partnership (PPP) model.”

Delhi Metro chief against state roping in pvt firms

VADODARA: Allowing different private firms to construct and operate multiple Metro lines in Mumbai will create major problems in having
standardised operations__right from sharing infrastructure, ticketing costs to rolling stock, warned E Shreedharan, considered the father of the Metro rail revolution in the country.

Staunchly against having Metro projects with equity from private firms, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief on Thursday said Mumbai would face grave problems by having multiple companies owning and operating different lines in the same city. Sreedharan, also consultant to the Mumbai Metro, said that much against his wish, Maharashtra's planning authorities had gone ahead with the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model involving a private operator.

"They gave the first line (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) to the Reliance-ADAG consortium on a BOT basis. Now, the second line from Charkop to Bandra to Mankhurd will also be given to one of the seven shortlisted private consortiums,'' he said, adding that the DMRC model, involving state-Centre partnership, is the best option. "Will the operator of one line allow trains from another line on his track? Would commuters be able to use the same ticket across all lines operated by different companies? The state will find it difficult to integrate everything,'' he said.

Explaining his opposition to the public-private-partnership (PPP) model, Sreedharan said only six cities out of 175 using Metro across the world have roped in private firms in the venture. "Of this, Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur failed with their experiments. The governments had to take charge of the operations later to save the day,'' he told TOI after the inauguration of a new train plant in Vadodora by Canada-based Bombardier.

In what can stir up a hornet's nest in days to come, the Metro man said Maharashtra had wanted to execute the second line on its own. "However, they went ahead with the BOT. They told me that there was pressure from the Planning Comission, which wanted to take the PPP route and execute the project on a BOT basis,'' said Sreedharan.

Asked about the first monorail project (Jacob Circle-Wadala-Mahul via Chembur), Sreedharan said it was not an ideal transport solution for a congested city like Mumbai. "Monorail is good for a small city or a nice entertainment park, not for Mumbai, which needs mass transit systems,'' he said. According to him, it will cost almost the same as a Metro project but its operational cost will be almost the double. "After spending so much on monorail, all it will do is carry only a quarter of the Metro's load,'' he said.

Sreedharan, who has worked as the general manager of both Western as well as Central Railway, was candid in his criticism of the Indian Railways' latest idea to decongest the suburban system. "It's much better to instal an advanced signalling system and upgrade rolling stock used in running suburban trains. Automaticaly, WR and CR will be able to run a train every 1.5 minutes instead of the current three- or five-minute gap,'' he said.



Box:



Under fire from the Hyderabad Metro for alleging lack of transparency, E Sreedharan said he would continue to say that giving 269 acres of prime land to the Metro developer for raising funds was a bad idea. "It's a real estate project now, not a Metro plan anymore,'' he said. Commercial exploitation of land to fund Metro should be limited to 7 to 8%, Sreedharan added.

Here's the map I drew with Mumbai's Metro (white), Suburban Railway (black) and monorail (blue). Hopefully this gives a better idea of the whole network MMRDA is planning to build.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/218/railmap2ly2.gif

wow, once done, this should relly take a lot of load off the suburban system...

If it ever does....

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2008/11/18/002/18_11_2008_002_006.jpg

Ah, Satte Pe Satta, eh?

Looks like we are going to have the rail systems named after the days of the week. Suburban Railways will be called Sunday, Monorail will be called Monday, Metro ->Tuesday, Freight Corridor-> Wednesday, High speed rail-> Thursday, Elevated Rail Corridor-> Friday and Bullet Train-> Saturday. I am really afraid about the looks of the city now!!! :(

Forget Maglev....never gonna happen in India, especially given the costs of building such a system. I dont know where theyre going to find the place to build a high speed rail corridor in the city.

The elevated rail corridor is a good idea...the suburban railway is packed now, so having more trains and more rail lines will ease the rush.

Personally, I think the monorail should act as a feeder to the suburban railway.

I really hope all these systems are integrated....but judging from the map i drew above, doesnt seem like it!

They are right out of their minds , when a sea link cannot be built in 10 years they plan to build 7 types of transit systems in a shorter span without damaging the city .

Why is it so difficult to implement common sense.

Identify a basic mass transit system (preferably Metro) , extend it as fast as possible .

Integrate via high speed Road corridors and underpasses throughout the cities , these should be dedicated to Buses and emergency services - make sure they reach even the smallest corners of mumbai.

Upgrade the suburban system with new coaches and cleaner stations with a covered roof along with beautification.

Why a monorail or Maglev or whatever , just a waste of money and source of corruption . Oh .... and while we are at it , can we also use a modified version of Light Combat aircraft for VIP transportation.:bash:

The best system is one which is least complicated and not the most fancy and expensive.

READING NEWS ABOUT MUMBAI TRANSPORTATION MAKEOVER IS JUST A WASTE OF TIME.

They are right out of their minds , when a sea link cannot be built in 10 years they plan to build 7 types of transit systems in a shorter span without damaging the city .

Why is it so difficult to implement common sense.

Identify a basic mass transit system (preferably Metro) , extend it as fast as possible .

Agree. IF Delhi can do it, why can't Mumbai. If they would be quicker in implementing the Metro, they can connect the various destinations by metro- the destinations which they are planning to connect by Monorail. Moreover, its absolutely ridiculous to have more than 1 type of mass transit system in the city. I think the Metro should be given the permission to extend itself throughout the city and connect various places in the city just like how Delhi did.



Integrate via high speed Road corridors and underpasses throughout the cities , these should be dedicated to Buses and emergency services - make sure they reach even the smallest corners of mumbai.

Mumbai doesn't have a lot of space to grant buses separate lanes. That's why the BRTS won't work in Mumbai. The only option right now Mumbai is to finish the BWSL asap and connect Worli with Haji Ali and from there to Nariman Point. If possible, connect the the MPE with the Western Express highways and the WEH to these sea links for rapid travel.

Upgrade the suburban system with new coaches and cleaner stations with a covered roof along with beautification.

Agree. But I think the trains will slowly be phased out. Plus they are "planning" to upgrade the stations as well. :nuts:.

Agree. IF Delhi can do it, why can't Mumbai. If they would be quicker in implementing the Metro, they can connect the various destinations by metro- the destinations which they are planning to connect by Monorail. Moreover, its absolutely ridiculous to have more than 1 type of mass transit system in the city. I think the Metro should be given the permission to extend itself throughout the city and connect various places in the city just like how Delhi did.

because my dear, dilli mein toh sarkar hai. if the rajas deign then the praja in other cities can get the infra as well

a metro system in bombay will get many multiples of the traffic delhi generates. but then we dont get 'international games' to kick the centre's and state's butt into action

Yeah. But we have the World Cup 2011 Final in the city. Isn't that a big event (well agreed, not as big as a Commonwealth games) but still do they need a reason to develop a better infrastructure?

READING NEWS ABOUT MUMBAI TRANSPORTATION MAKEOVER IS JUST A WASTE OF TIME.
:)


because my dear, dilli mein toh sarkar hai. if the rajas deign then the praja in other cities can get the infra as well

a metro system in bombay will get many multiples of the traffic delhi generates. but then we dont get 'international games' to kick the centre's and state's butt into action

true that. however, i thought that the bombay tramways act gave the local govt. enough authority to build these routes. i do not understand why we cannot generate funds locally or float our own bonds etc. for some reason mmrda has decided that tunneling is bad. if we had gone for tunneling then there would not have been any 'PAP' issue nor would we be beholden to the railway ministry for 'right of way' clearence.

Yeah. But we have the World Cup 2011 Final in the city. Isn't that a big event (well agreed, not as big as a Commonwealth games) but still do they need a reason to develop a better infrastructure?

bhargav, i reckon what bboy is trying to say is that delhi uses these 'games' as excuse to upgrade itself. most cities do. this has been going on since asiad, when delhi got multiple stadia, and other infrastructure. we got the asiad bus from dadar to poona :nuts:

Mumbai doesn't have a lot of space to grant buses separate lanes. That's why the BRTS won't work in Mumbai. The only option right now Mumbai is to finish the BWSL asap and connect Worli with Haji Ali and from there to Nariman Point. If possible, connect the the MPE with the Western Express highways and the WEH to these sea links for rapid travel.

Agreed , no BRTS in Mumbai - but a dedicated bus system with underpasses i.e running beneath the ground , the need to make these dedicated is because the moment we allow motorists in , the road is finished.

Once we have an extended Metro system (god willing) , these corridors should run underground (only buses) and provide high speed connectivity to remote corners.

Ok , people - no more off topic posts from me over here now , sorry about the earlier ones.

READING NEWS ABOUT MUMBAI TRANSPORTATION MAKEOVER IS JUST A WASTE OF TIME.


They are right out of their minds , when a sea link cannot be built in 10 years they plan to build 7 types of transit systems in a shorter span without damaging the city .

Agree with both of you.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2008/11/18/002/18_11_2008_002_006.jpg

What the transport expert says is right..The planners seem to have gone mad, with one new type of railway being planned every other month!

Could anyone please post an update about the latest status of construction? When I last passed through the route of the metro phase-1 in July, the road had been barricaded, but no wirk had started inside the barricades.

^^Not big enough, apparently.

Is it only me who thinks this article an exaggeration?

Metro, monorail and suburban railway exist together in many cities in Asia.
In fact, technically, suburban railway is a metro (they have separate tracks) if they could improve frequency even more - its already 4 minutes the last time i checked.
These modes just serve different purposes. The problem is integration and if that is planned properly (via common smart card), it should go through.

Elevated rail - dream of IR - i don't want them to do it. Just build enough elevated/underground metros within the city and have suburban rail only for passengers coming from far outside the city (like Virar, Uran, Dahanu, etc.).

Bullet Train is for inter-city travel. How can they even compare with metro?
Probably, they would better have the terminals outside city limits due to lack of space.

DFC - does not even enter the city. Only for the ports.

Maglev - viable as a fast medium for transport from Navi Mumbai Airport (proposed) to city centre/CSIA. In fact, probably, Navi Mumbai can be made a hub for bullet train (if it comes up) as well and people can enter the city via Maglev over Nhava-Sewri Sea link (Dream, dream, dream!).

Please name at least one city where the Metro, Suburban and Monorail exist. I haven't heard of any, sorry.

Please name at least one city where the Metro, Suburban and Monorail exist. I haven't heard of any, sorry.

dubai: Metro, monorail, trams - Dubai moves to have seamless connectivity (http://www.twocircles.net/2008mar31/metro_monorail_trams_dubai_moves_have_seamless_connectivity.html)

bangkok: the skytrain and the subway. (http://www.travelfish.org/bangkok_mass_transit_map.php)

kaula lumpur: transportation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur#Transportation)

Maglev - viable as a fast medium for transport from Navi Mumbai Airport (proposed) to city centre/CSIA. In fact, probably, Navi Mumbai can be made a hub for bullet train (if it comes up) as well and people can enter the city via Maglev over Nhava-Sewri Sea link (Dream, dream, dream!).


I agree....I think they should have a huge transportation hub in Navi Mumbai which includes the airport and a large train station (like at Paris CDG) and an interstate bus terminus. This can be the gateway to the city and a high speed railway line should take passengers from the transportation hub straight into Mumbai.

dubai: Metro, monorail, trams - Dubai moves to have seamless connectivity (http://www.twocircles.net/2008mar31/metro_monorail_trams_dubai_moves_have_seamless_connectivity.html)

bangkok: the skytrain and the subway. (http://www.travelfish.org/bangkok_mass_transit_map.php)

kaula lumpur: transportation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur#Transportation)

thanks jubin.

Also, this piece of news is interesting. It shows how the monorail is a replacement for buses and not for the metro. Since BRTS is difficult due to
thin roads, monorail becomes viable.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/BEST_seamless_travel/articleshow/3729649.cms

Maglev - viable as a fast medium for transport from Navi Mumbai Airport (proposed) to city centre/CSIA. In fact, probably, Navi Mumbai can be made a hub for bullet train (if it comes up) as well and people can enter the city via Maglev over Nhava-Sewri Sea link.

I don't think it will be ever possible to build Maglev trains in Mumbai. Simple project like quadrupling of 25 odd km between Borivali and Virar, on flat land takes 7-8 years. Thane - Kurla 5th and 6th lines have been under construction for over 8-9 years, but the work is nowhere close to complete.

Now you decide how much time it will take to build a Maglev :lol:

Maglev - viable as a fast medium for transport from Navi Mumbai Airport (proposed) to city centre/CSIA. In fact, probably, Navi Mumbai can be made a hub for bullet train (if it comes up) as well and people can enter the city via Maglev over Nhava-Sewri Sea link (Dream, dream, dream!).

I agree....I think they should have a huge transportation hub in Navi Mumbai which includes the airport and a large train station (like at Paris CDG) and an interstate bus terminus. This can be the gateway to the city and a high speed railway line should take passengers from the transportation hub straight into Mumbai.

I don't think it will be ever possible to build Maglev trains in Mumbai. Simple project like quadrupling of 25 odd km between Borivali and Virar, on flat land takes 7-8 years. Thane - Kurla 5th and 6th lines have been under construction for over 8-9 years, but the work is nowhere close to complete.

Now you decide how much time it will take to build a Maglev :lol:

please see a related post (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=28223972&postcount=63) in the mthl thread.

Please name at least one city where the Metro, Suburban and Monorail exist. I haven't heard of any, sorry.

I believe the Seattle area sort of does. They have the Link Light Rail, the Sounder commuter rail (double decker!) and of course the monorail.

I don't think it will be ever possible to build Maglev trains in Mumbai. Simple project like quadrupling of 25 odd km between Borivali and Virar, on flat land takes 7-8 years. Thane - Kurla 5th and 6th lines have been under construction for over 8-9 years, but the work is nowhere close to complete.

Now you decide how much time it will take to build a Maglev :lol:

Also, given the cost escalations over time added to the already high cost of the maglev, we can basically rule out maglev ever coming to India.

I think the only reason they have even though about Maglev is because of the so called "Shanghai Dream"

Metro One chugs past last hurdle (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-one-chugs-past-last-hurdle/388127/)

The final hurdle for the Metro One project was cleared on Tuesday with the Home Department agreeing to part with its land in Andheri, which will facilitate the creation of a casting yard.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had requested the State and Home Guards to temporarily transfer a 2.4-hectare plot at Versova, which has been reserved for a training centre for Home Guards. MMRDA has been trying to procure the land from the Home Department for the last two years.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil held a meeting on the issue with MMRDA, urban development, Home department and Home Guard officials on Tuesday. “At the meeting, it was decided that the Home department will hand over the land for the casting yard to us,” said Principal Secretary (Urban Development) T C Benjamin.

“It was the last hurdle in the Metro project. Now that it has been cleared, work can progress smoothly,” Benjamin added.

MMRDA has been looking for a plot in Versova for a casting yard, apart from the one at Wadala. According to sources, the land will be used to construct the platforms while other casting of segments will be conducted at the Wadala Truck Terminus.

These people are crazy enought to have Maglev built for city traffic!!
Maglev is damn costly and it travels around 250-330km (if am not wrong) and is a bad choice for intra-city commute!! Most of the short distance maglev are failure around the world!
Maglev is a good choice if its built between say Mumbai and Pune, Delhi and Mumbai, Chennai - Bengaluru, Hyderabad -Kolkata short distances which will reduce travel time between Cities in india.

A mix of Monorail, BRTS and Metro is a very good choice!! But Maglev, i dont think its viable for very short distance travel

Make a note of this, but Maglev's not happening 200%!!!!

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2008/11/24/003/24_11_2008_003_005.jpg

Factor in another 30 minutes if you have to get to Andheri (W) station. The regular route, via Jai Prakash (JP) Road, which takes (on a good day) five minutes, will now take you at least 30 minutes as work on the first phase of the metro rail project Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor begins in earnest on JP Road in a few days time.

The road will be completely closed to vehicular traffic. Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), which is constructing the rail, has approached the traffic department and BEST to discuss traffic details along this road.

The work on the metro rail, that includes barricading, digging and piling of road, has reached the Andheri Sports Complex and will soon begin on JP Road. K P Maheshwari, director, MMOPL said, "It has been proposed that the stretch between Navrang cinema and JP Road will be closed to vehicular traffic during construction."

Karan Sanghavi, who travels to Andheri station (W) every day from his home at Four Bungalows, said, "I will have to leave at least 15 minutes earlier as I have to take the longer route via Juhu Scheme to reach the station."

Commuters who use BEST buses will also have to take the alternate route. There are more than 150 BEST buses that have shuttle service to Andheri station every morning during peak hours. "We have approached the traffic police and BEST authorities and appropriate route diversions will be provided," added Maheshwari. BEST GM Uttam Khobragade said, "Work on the metro rail cannot be stopped and we will certainly facilitate MMOPL as required."

Such a long journey

People travelling to Andheri (W) station will now have to take a circuitous route from Andheri Sports complex, Amboli, SV Road, Andheri Station, which means a 20-minute drive.

Another route through Four Bungalows, Gagandeep, Juhu Scheme to Andheri station takes 30 minutes.

Source: Mid-day

Regarding 2021 deadline to 2013, deadlines are going to get shifted and shifted and delayed until they reach 2021 or more....

Building all lines till 2013 is impossible, and perhaps the ministers and people in charge of the project too know this. It will be a great thing if they manage to build and start operating at least one line till 2013.

edited as it was duplicate post. moderators please delete this post.

Yes. They all know it. 5 years of time and it seems they would need to have the highest possible ethics and will to do it. They will need vast number of laborers in order to achieve this. And ethics is not a word used in India.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/another-hurdle-in-metro-path-removed/390108/

Mumbai, November 24 The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Authority (MMRDA) has removed 112 encroachments along the stretch at
Kajutekdi, near Asalpha, clearing the way for the Metro Rail
construction.

"The encroachments were removed by MMRDA's anti-encroachment squad
under the Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (MUIP), widening the
road to 45 metre now," said Joint Project Director (PR), Dilip
Kawathkar.

The encroachments included 40 commercials and 72 residential
structures. The residents have been rehabilitated at Lallubhai
Compund and Natwar Parik at Mankhurd, while the shopkeepers have
been reallocated to malls in Bhandup and Mulund.

The road widening process is part of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar
corridor of the Mumbai Metro and Asalpha, from where the
encroachments have been removed, is one of the proposed stations.

Earlier, encroachments were removed between Western Express Highway
and Saki Naka on the Andheri-Ghatkopar Road. Here, the road widening
work has already been completed. The 12-km Andheri-Ghatkopar Link is
from Andheri Western Express Highway to Ghatkopar.

"The total cost of the road widening project is Rs 150 crore," said
Kawathkar.

The Maharashtra govt has decided/is considering to change the Colaba-Bandra Metro route to a monorail route because of cost reasons.

The Maharashtra govt has decided/is considering to change the Colaba-Bandra Metro route to a monorail route because of cost reasons.

Do you have a link to the news item to support your statement?

Yes I do. It came in Hindustan Times around Nov 23, but I didn't know how to add it here and expected someone else would.

No driverless trains for Metro phase-I (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/No_driverless_trains_for_Metro_phase-I/articleshow/3805828.cms)

MUMBAI: Four years from now, city commuters will travel on highly automated trains when the Metro's first phase of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar
route gets completed. But the trains will not be driver-less.

Mumbai Metro One (MM1) director K P Maheshwari said people will not feel comfortable in driverless trains.

Transport circles state that in a driver-less train, everything is done automatically and the whole system is controlled by computers. However, a driver is placed in the cabin to reassure the commuters that there is a human being in charge of the train to prevent them from getting nervous, but his role in running the train is limited to ensuring safety.

Driverless trains are in operation in some cities in the West. Maheshwari said their enquiries showed that the public was not in favour of driver-less trains. "The MMRDA also did not want driverless trains,'' he added.

Explaining further, Maheshwari said, "Driverless trains are normally taken up only after several Metro lines have been set up and the public is used to the automatic system. In Singapore, they were built after several lines were in operation,'' he said. The process for recruiting 55 drivers will soon begin so that they are fully trained when the system starts.

Fedric Noel, managing director of Veolia transport which is a partner in Mumbai
Metro One, said the training of these drivers will be undertaken on a system to ensure that they get world-class training.

"We have a lot to learn from India,'' said Noel and remarked, "There were no readymade solutions for us.''

First Metro line to be ready before deadline (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/First_Metro_line_to_be_ready_before_deadline/articleshow/3805849.cms)

MUMBAI: Work on the first line of the Mumbai Metro - covering Versova, Andheri and Ghatkopar - would be over by July 2010, much before the 2012
deadline set by the MMRDA.

This claim came from Mumbai Metro One director K P Maheshwari, who also said, "There would be 16 trains with four coaches each carrying 1,500 people right from Day One.''

Maheshwari also pointed out that the cost of the project would be higher than the estimated Rs 2,356 crore due to a change in design. He said a bridge and some column foundations had to be redesigned because of technical problems. These changes, in turn, pushed up the price tag. He, however, declined to put a figure to the increase in cost.

Maheshwari said that during digging (to lay foundations for the pillars), his team had to deal with utilities such as sewage pipes, power cables and telephone lines. The team had to redesign the column foundations to ensure that the utilities were not disrupted, thereby leading to higher costs.

"They also had to redesign a bridge over the railway tracks at Andheri, which further added to the costs,'' Maheshwari said.

On Saturday, journalists were taken from Ghatkopar to Versova, along the route of the Metro line, and given an idea of the challenges the project had faced. These included angry shopkeepers who saw their business fall as the station at Ghatkopar took shape, problems faced by workmen in tackling underground utilities and the fact that they had not been given a clear right of way along the 11.4-km route.

Shopkeepers near the site of the Ghatkopar Metro station said they saw a 75% fall in business due to the upcoming structure and planned to agitate over the issue.

There were also complaints that the alignment at Asalpha - to build a station - would increase chances of flooding in the area during the monsoon.

Addressing these concerns, Maheshwari said they have held discussions with the shopkeepers about the importance of the project and some of them have "seen reason''. Also, pathways were being provided in front of the shops that have been affected by the station project.

On the issue of waterlogging, Maheshwari said the MMRDA had set the alignment and proper drainage would be provided to prevent flooding in the area.

As far as right of way was concerned, on J P Road, between Navrang and Andheri station, and at Asalpha, Maheshwari said they would sort out the matter soon.

^^Man i have lost count of the number of articles published about the mumbai metro but not 1 picture of the progress!!!:bash: Is the construction even on???

True. Not one article mentions about the progress of the metro. What's going on?

Juhu wants Metro buried (http://http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1212464)

The residents of Juhu-Vile Parle Development Scheme (JVPD) have accused the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) of being biased against it in planning an elevated route for the second corridor of the Metro rail.

The tendering process is on for the corridor, which is proposed from Charkop to Mankhurd via Bandra and is expected to cost Rs7,660 crore. The 31-km stretch will have 27 stations.

The residents want the corridor to be underground. They say an elevated corridor will make the already congested traffic on SV Road and Link Road even more chaotic. What is rankling them the most is that the third corridor of the Metro, between Colaba and Bandra, will be underground.

If the Colaba-Bandra corridor can be underground, why cannot the second corridor also be, architect Nitin Killawala, an office-bearer of JVPD Association, questioned. At least the 8-km stretch from Andheri to Bandra should be underground, he said.

Sherley Joseph Singh, another member, said, “Traffic from SV Road on the south to Link Road on the North and vice-versa passes through the JVPD area. We already have huge traffic bottlenecks. The overhead Metro line will result in chaos.”

“This clearly is a bias against western suburbs,” BJP corporator from Bandra Ashish Shelar said. “I have submitted 27 objections to the MMRDA,” Shelar, who is a member of MMRDA, said.

But MMRDA officials said underground Metro is neither technically nor economically feasible in the JVPD area. “We are following the recommendations made in the techno-economical study done by the best organisation in the country for metro rail projects (the Delhi-Metro Rail Corporation),” PRK Murthy, chief of town and country planning division of MMRDA, said. Narrow roads don’t permit an elevated corridor between Colaba and Bandra. Areas such as Bhuleshwar, Chandanwadi, Mumbai Central, Gokhale Road and Lady Jamshedji Road cannot have elevated Metro, he said. An underground corridor would cost around Rs600 crore per km. “An elevated corridor will cost less — Rs180 crore to Rs200 crore per km,” said Murthy.

Project on cost escalation track (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1212463)

Metro Man of India E Sreedharan may have strongly advocated that the Metro be centralised and owned by the government, but top officials of Reliance Metro One — the contractor for the first Metro corridor in Mumbai — are still strongly backing the private participation in running the show.

In a letter written to the Planning Commission, Sreedharan stated that the construction cost of Mumbai Metro is indeed escalating — a fact that would worry the state government.

As the work for Mumbai’s first-ever Metro gains momentum, officials of Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) are having a tough time shifting utilities. Moreover, constructing a missing link at Asalfa is also proving to be a difficult proposition. Due to these reasons, the costs of the project are set to rise. Despite this, Metro One officials are still advocating the public private participation (PPP) model for the project. “Take the example of a city like Bangkok. The private metro there is doing brisk business. The PPP model is definitely viable. If airports and ports around the country can be built by private players, so can be the Metro,” said KP Maheshwari, director, MMOPL.

Work for the Metro on Versova-Ghatkopar route is on in patches. The pillars can be seen at Andheri-Kurla road whereas work for the Ghatkopar station is on in full swing.

However, Metro officials are having a tough time on Andheri-Kurla road due to shifting of utilities. “We are facing some problems due to a lot of underground cables and pipelines,”said Maheshwari. He, however, admitted that there was cost escalation.

The car depot at DN Nagar and the missing link at Asalpha also are proving to be expensive than expected.

Juhu wants Metro buried (http://http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1212464)

oh yes one of my friends was telling me
they r planning to build it right thru his house!!!!
i believe its a residential area and the traffic thru link road isn't that busy
so they should build it underground ,plus even the link road is not too wide
for a an elevated metro

a metro over sv road
that is an utterly insane idea
the whole of western suburbs will come to a standstill if that happens
link road should be the better option

^^Man i have lost count of the number of articles published about the mumbai metro but not 1 picture of the progress!!!:bash: Is the construction even on???

its on but
going ahead at a steady rate
but they r definitely not rushing with it

oh yes one of my friends was telling me
they r planning to build it right thru his house!!!!
i believe its a residential area and the traffic thru link road isn't that busy
so they should build it underground ,plus even the link road is not too wide
for a an elevated metro

a metro over sv road
that is an utterly insane idea
the whole of western suburbs will come to a standstill if that happens
link road should be the better option

I think the questions are:
1. Will a lot of road traffic move to metro?
2. Are there alternatives roads during construction?

If the answer to both is negative then underground is an option.

But note the problem of shifting utilities is high even with overground. Underground may just be a nightmare i guess.

Not to mention the costs of the same. Are Juhu residents willing to pay more tax to fund the underground portion?

I think the questions are:
1. Will a lot of road traffic move to metro?
2. Are there alternatives roads during construction?

If the answer to both is negative then underground is an option.

But note the problem of shifting utilities is high even with overground. Underground may just be a nightmare i guess.

Not to mention the costs of the same. Are Juhu residents willing to pay more tax to fund the underground portion?

1. maybe. however, the transportation needs of the city are underserved. so we might not see a reduction of road traffic.

2. there might be some traffic mitigation strategy, but there are no unused roads.

there should not be any excessive shifting of utilities with the underground option, as the metro will be deeper than the utilities.

why should juhu residents pay for the underground. shouldn't the cost be borne by the riders. plus with 'better' connectivity, there will be a hike in the property rates abd therefore in property tax collections as well.

i think not having the whole thing underground is short sighted.

its on but
going ahead at a steady rate
but they r definitely not rushing with it

is it possible to get any progress pictures incase u r in Bombay?

ideally most of the system in a crowded city like bombay should be underground. i dont know where they are getting their costings from (600 crores a km), but if the authorities are making large parts of the delhi metro underground, in a city that has enough open space for overground everywhere but the old city, then why not in bombay?

"The cost of construction in Phase I was about Rs 110 crore per kilometre for elevated portion of the Delhi Metro and Rs 260 crore per km for underground portion, said Dr Sreedharan."

there is something seriously wrong with the figures in bombay. not too surprising with vilasrao in charge

"The cost of construction in Phase I was about Rs 110 crore per kilometre for elevated portion of the Delhi Metro and Rs 260 crore per km for underground portion, said Dr Sreedharan."

there is something seriously wrong with the figures in bombay. not too surprising with vilasrao in charge
The cost also changes with time!! Delhi Phase I and Phase II was built in early 200x!
Its the same 300 crores per km cost in chennai metro too!

300 is for underground or elevated?

1. maybe. however, the transportation needs of the city are underserved. so we might not see a reduction of road traffic.

2. there might be some traffic mitigation strategy, but there are no unused roads.

there should not be any excessive shifting of utilities with the underground option, as the metro will be deeper than the utilities.

why should juhu residents pay for the underground. shouldn't the cost be borne by the riders. plus with 'better' connectivity, there will be a hike in the property rates abd therefore in property tax collections as well.

i think not having the whole thing underground is short sighted.

I kinda knew that (2) was difficult. I would prefer that it be totally underground too but some compromise must be reached on cost grounds.
Not even in western countries, the subway is entirely underground.

About utilities, i will refer you to this site (http://science.howstuffworks.com/subway.htm/printable) which says the following:
Beneath the streets in every city, subway crews can find a maze of water and sewer pipes, electrical conduit, cables and pneumatic tubes. Modern tunneling machines can allow workers to dig a tunnel below these obstacles, but at some point the tunnel has to reach the surface. Many subway systems include a series of shafts that act as emergency exits, and all have entrances that people can reach from the street level. This makes it impossible for crews to completely avoid the existing city infrastructure.
This shows that even though between stations you might make it deep underground, close to stations you have to come close to the surface and then it requires huge excavation + closing of entire roads as this following image shows.
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/subway-9.jpg
Hence, even going underground does not completely solve problem (2).

My argument about Juhu residents paying higher tax still holds because riders dont care if it is under or overground but Juhu residents do - since it impacts their property rates. A surcharge on property tax rates in Juhu may be the correct solution.

300 is for underground or elevated?

underground. am not sure about 600 crore per km in mumbai!! Thats daim costly!

Andheri roadblocks may delay Metro (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1213563)

Although Mumbai MetroOne officials claim that work for first metro corridor will be over 18 months before schedule, bad planning on part of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) may prove to be a major hindrance in their way.
Two stretches - from Navrang Theatre to Jai Prakash Road near Andheri station (West) and from Mathuradas Wasanji Road junction up to Western Express Highway on Andheri (East) - are proving to be major roadblocks for the MetroOne project.
According to a senior MetroOne official who spoke on condition of anonymity, MMRDA has not yet handed over this stretch to them.

“There are several impediments in these areas. Though the authority is not widening the road up to 120 foot as planned earlier, many patches on this stretch in Andheri West as well as East are not even 15 metres (50 foot) wide. There are many old structures which come in the way. It will be an uphill task for the authorities to clear the area,” said the official.

A senior MMRDA official confirmed that this stretch is not handed over to MetroOne yet. “Although we have decided to keep those two roads 90 feet wide, the reality is that many stretches on the roads are not even 15 metres wide. There are land acquisitions to be done. We are in the process of talking to the locals about it,” he said.

On the other hand, Arvind Patil of Versova-Andheri land and property owners association said that MMRDA has till date not provided them with any design of the Metro route. The design, they say, will enable them to know whose land and property will be used in Metro work.

“MMRDA officials seem to be reluctant in providing us with clear information. We are still unaware who among us is going to lose our land or property. We have had several meetings and verbal assurances from MMRDA, but unfortunately, nothing concrete has come on paper,” said Patil.

Meanwhile, work for the Metro is going on at full speed at Versova, DN Nagar, Chakala, Saki Naka and Asalfa.

a pic from earlier this month in the TOI-

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3425/pc0030700ud6.jpg

Charkop residents beat up officials over survey (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Charkop_residents_beat_up_officials_over_survey/articleshow/3853905.cms)

MUMBAI: The acquisition of a large plot of land at Charkop by government authorities for the second line of Mumbai Metro took a violent turn on
Wednesday when people on the land beat up government officials who had come there for a survey.

The violence follows protests from thousands of people settled on the land, for proper resettlement and rehousing facilities on the 52-hectare site, which is to be used as a car shed for the Metro second line from Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd slated to cost over Rs 6,000 crore.

BJP councillor from the area, Yogesh Sagar said the government should first declare a proper resettlement and rehabilitation policy on the lines of the Dharavi scheme." There are over 15,000 people living on the site at Lalji Pada, Ganesh Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Janata Colony with seven schools, seven masjids, 13 temples, and one church. Unless there is a proper scheme, the people are not going to shift,'' he said.

Sagar said the plot is owned by private parties. "People have been running cottage industries for many years. They will have to be given shops so that they can carry out their business,'' he added.

Is this project already under u/c?

Yes, but construction is on a slow pace as the government is unnecessarily confusing itself.

I have guessed they have learned a lesson: Never to brag stuff if they don't have the willingness/ability to complete it on time.

please post more pics of construction taking place.

please post more pics of construction taking place.

Construction is taking place in only one or two stretches and that too @ a slow pace , no point in pictures when there has not been much progress.

^MM1's website says otherwise. They just updated their project update page (http://www.mumbaimetro1.com/HTML/project_update.html) -

Mumbai Metro One is on the fast track. In one of the major achievements last month, Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) has achieved the Financial Closure of Rs. 1194 crore for the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor. IDBI is the Lead Banker.

While construction activity is in full swing along the alignment, all major contracts for the project have been awarded:

Automatic Fare Collection System: Indra
Track Work: VNC Rail1
Communication Systems: Thales
Power Supply, Traction & SCADA: ABB
Signaling & Train Control System: Siemens
Three special bridges at Andheri station, Western Express Highway and Mithi River: SEW Infrastructure Limited
Rolling Stock: CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Co., Ltd
Civil Works for Depot Earthworks: Shyam Narayan & Brothers
Civil Works for 12 stations: SEW Constructions Limited
Civil works for viaduct: Simplex Infrastructure Limited



Civil Construction:

Viaduct works:

Test Pile driving activity underway at Azad Nagar and Western Express Highway

Pile Load Test completed at Versova, D N Nagar, J B Nagar, Airport Road, Marol Pipe Line, Sakinaka, Asalpha & Ghatkopar

139 working piles, 10 pile caps and 3 starters for piers completed at J B Nagar; 54 working piles completed and pile cap work commenced at Versova

Wadala casting yard:

Batching plant commissioned and concrete being produced for structures
Quality Lab functional
Casting Bed Construction is in progress


Special Bridges:

Western Express Highway Special Bridge: 8 out of 8 piles completed on east side
Mithi River Bridge: Utility identification completed; utility shifting in progress


Station works:

Work at 8 out of 12 stations and at substation is in Load Tests completed for all these stations.

Ghatkopar: We have completed 14 footings & 49 working piles. 14 columns above ground level have been also completed
Asalpha: We have completed 11 piles
Sakinaka: Utility identification & shifting is in progress
Marol Naka: LHS: All piles have been completed. RHS: Utility identification & shifting completed, piling to commence soon
Airport Road: Utility identification completed; shifting underway, piling will be commenced soon
Chakala: LHS: 19 out pf 12 piles and 2 out 6 pile caps completed. RHS: Utility identification & shifting completed and 11 out of 21 piles completed
WEH: Utility Identification is in progress on LHS
Andheri: Construction area barricaded, however work is at halt due to pending approval on Andheri Bridge Design from Western Railway
Marol Substation: Foundation work have been completed and plinth beam work is in progress


Labour camps:
Setting up of labour camps at Malwani and Mulund completed

MMOPL launches 'Meet the People' programme (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200812291710.htm)

Mumbai (PTI): To keep the citizens posted on the progress of the first Metro railway project of the city, the Reliance Infrastructure-MMRDA promoted SPV, Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) on Monday lauched the 'Meet the People' programme.

This unique initiative by MMOPL will start from next year starting January first and will be concluded on January 7.

"The initiative is first of its kind involving constructing of an infrastructure project in a city like Mumbai. To ensure timely completion and commissioning of the project we feel that the involvement of people is the need of the hour," said a spokesperson of MMOPL.

Through this initiative MMOPL will meet various people residing or operating across the corridor area of 11.4 kilometers that covers Versova - Andheri - Ghatkopar. MMOPL would update them on the progress of the project and will also take their feedback on the same.

Experts from engineering, communications and traffic sections of MMOPL will be part of this intiative. Project contractors will receive full support by authorities like MMRDA and traffic police.

Construction work is in full swing across the entire stretch. As per the concession agreement, the scheduled date for completion of the project is March 2012 but the company would complete the same in 18 months, ahead of the scheduled date- by September 2010.

i am in mumbai currently... will try to take photos though cant promise... i think i saw some pile drivers close to airport... also saw the mmopl public office near saki naka...

well now it is said that the metro railway project will take more than 5 years ...

Read More (http://www.exchange4projects.com/RAIL/wrs-15-coach-trains-still-a-part-of-fantasy-)

?? that article is talking about the WR (the locals) it says nothing about the metro...

The progress looks good as read from this article.

But, i think it would slow down in the rainy season. we still have 5-6 good months of construction. we'll see some signs of progress no earlier than nov'09

official, final and approved station renders - are they out?
Construction update/photos?

Was on my way to the airport - Not much construction is visible close to sakinaka. I only saw a few heavy machines. This is as per their construction update on the mumbai metro webpage.

SakiNaka: Metro will go over the intersection on Andheri Ghatkopar link road (AGLR). I think they also need an interchange for road traffic. I am not sure how much the metro will improve traffic flow at this intersection.

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8260/dsc01261ie6.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01261ie6.jpg)

Coming closer to one of these heavy machines: I dont know what it is - can someone shed light?

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2442/dsc01262gf1.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01262gf1.jpg)

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/9749/dsc01263yo7.th.jpg (http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01263yo7.jpg)

Also saw a section where the sides of the road were barricaded instead of the center. Probably the Saki Naka station will come up there.

Finally, close to the International airport
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/1377/dsc01264jr8.th.jpg (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01264jr8.jpg)

After the airport, i saw more barricades for the Sahar Elevated Access Road than the metro. That seems to be progressing faster than the Metro.

Update on Mumbai Metro car depot progress
Source (http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/01/16/Nzg3NDI%3D/Update_on_Mumbai_Metro_car_depot_progress.html)

Projects monitor reported that earthwork for the DN Nagar car depot, an integral component of the Mumbai Metro Line 1 project is scheduled to complete next month.

A senior official of Mumbai based private contracting firm SNB Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (formerly Shyam Narayan & Brothers) said that earthwork was currently under way and was scheduled to complete by February 15th 2009. Discussing the details, the official said that earthwork was being carried out in a large expanse of land measuring 22 hectares that would house the car depot.

As per report, this is an important achievement for the project considering that land acquisition for the car depot had taken unduly long and was not complete even after the concession agreement with Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd was signed.

Meanwhile, MMOPL recently entrusted the INR 184 crore construction contract of the car depot to New Delhi based Ahluwalia Contracts Ltd. The SNB Infrastructure official said that land was now being handed over to construction contractor in patches. He said that "Earthwork and construction will go on in parallel for some time." The DN Nagar car depot will include facilities for parking and maintenance of rolling stock. It will also have a workshop, offices and storage space. A spokesperson of Ahluwalia Contracts said that the depot would be constructed in 17.5 months, which is by around June 2010.

The report added that the 11.6 kilometer Mumbai metro Line 1 project is a fully elevated line in north Mumbai, running between Versova and Ghatkopar through Andheri. It will be punctuated by around 15 stations. Mumbai One Metro Pvt Ltd is a 74:26 private consortium with Reliance Infrastructure (formerly Reliance Energy) and Veolia Transportation of France holding majority stake. State nodal agency Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is a minority shareholder with 26% stake.

Construction on this line was flagged off on February 8th 2008, although it was expected to begin by 2006 end, the year when the project foundation stone was laid. The concessionaire has targeted to construct the metro line by 2011.

Piers at Andheri (E) are up!


January 12
pics copyright Vivek Manvi

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7236/20090101ay9.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4217/20090102cj0.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8541/20090103no8.jpg

Cool....good progress.

Neat job there!. Construction material has not spilled over and affected the roads, like in Bangalore where large parts of the areas around the construction have turned into a huge mess.

I feel like construction work is progressing really slowly. Wasnt this line supposed to be finished by 2009?

2013 is the official date according to the bid. reliance say it will be ready sometime in 2010

yeah cool progress

don't venture out much into andheri(E)
but here in andheri(w)
the are still digging and doing the preliminary work for the piers

Dude if you reside in Andheri why don't you get pictures and post it here man...

Nice updates. Cant wait to see this complete!

maximum

'Hell no, I don't want the metro' (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1223824)

Mumbai makeover seems to be running afoul of citizen activism in the upscale areas of the city. After the proposed flyover at Peddar Road saw protests from high-profile citizens, including Lata Mangeshkar and sister Asha Bhonsle, the second phase of the metro project has hit a similar hurdle.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has received 8,000 objections and suggestions from residents against the proposed elevated line from Charkop to Mankhurd. Their demand: an underground line should replace the elevated corridor along the congested Linking Road in Bandra, Khar and Santacruz.

Residents of Peddar Road had started a similar campaign against the proposed flyover. However, there were no such protests against the JJ and Sion flyovers, which also pass
through congested areas.

The estimated cost of the 32-km Charkop-Mankhurd elevated line is Rs6,192 crore -- roughly Rs200 crore per km. But if the eight-km Bandra-Andheri stretch goes underground, the cost will increase by around Rs3,000 crore -- the underground line costs Rs600 crore per km.

The Khar (West) Advanced Locality Management (ALM), a group of residents which takes up citizens' issues, has sent a letter to societies across Bandra, Khar and Santacruz, highlighting their objections to the elevated line.

Residents and shopkeepers along the congested Linking Road have raised objections to the elevated corridor of the Charkop-Mankhurd metro project.

The Khar (West) Advanced Locality Management (ALM) has sent letters to societies across Bandra, Khar and Santacruz to highlight why and underground line would be more beneficial than an elevated metro.

"As many as 73 buildings have already signed the letter, which has been sent to MMRDA. The authority is lacking transparency. Three different individuals who filed RTI queries were given three different locations of a metro station," Aftab Siddique, the ALM chairperson told DNA.

The linking road shopkeepers' association has also written to MMRDA.

"Unfortunately, shop owners at Linking Road are not aware of what lies ahead. If the congested Linking Road gets an elevated metro, our business may suffer severely," said association president Hari Mehra.

Ranjana Barve, another active resident from Bandra-Khar area, criticised the authority
saying it "did not even bother to ask the residents before announcing a metro in our own area". "We have demanded that the metro in our locality must not disturb our livelihood and must go underground," Barve said.

The MMRDA has, however, ruled out the possibility of the metro going underground. Its spokesperson Dilip Kawathkar told DNA that the decision to construct the elevated line was taken after a techno-economic feasibility study carried out by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which is the prime consultant for the Mumbai metro.

Finally, some progress on the Andheri sector!

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1223820

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority's (MMRDA) plan to kickstart the second phase of metro on the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd route may face protests from citizens. Since the authority is planning an underground third route from Colaba to Bandra, residents of western suburbs are complaining that they have been deprived of a similar metro.

Ashish Shelar, BJP corporator who is also a member of MMRDA, will hold a series of meetings of various citizens' groups to oppose the elevated metro which will pass through the already congested Link Road as well as Linking Road.

"As a member of the authority as well as a peoples' representative, I have raised an objection to the elevated metro. I have demanded that the metro should be underground. Also, no property should be either demolished or acquired in the process of the construction. MMRDA has so far not decided the final alignment of the second corridor. The authority must take the citizens into confidence and physically show the sites where the metro stations are to be erected," said Shelar.

Interestingly, in a reply to an RTI by architect Nitin Killawala, MMRDA has failed to
give the engineer's plan, or any other plan which details the exact route of the metro-2. Similarly, the authority has also not provided the number of properties which may be affected during the construction of the metro.

Killawala has also demanded the metro to be underground. "If the authority says that underground metro is not cost effective, why it is constructing one underground corridor? Why have they kept residents of the western suburbs in the dark while planning the entire route? The metro in Delhi has ruined many localities surrounding it. When we have this example, how can MMRDA still plan a similar metro in Mumbai on an even more congested road?" questioned Killawala.

Is that highlighted part true? any news on that?

^^

rubbish , the construction has caused a few clogs and diversions but no area has been ruined , in fact areas like Chawri Bazar and Chandani Chowk have become much more accessible and improved business of these areas.

doesnt chandani chowk have an underground metro? a city like bombay needs mostly underground anyways, we dont have 200 feet wide roads running though the city. i am really interested in knowing how they got the Rs. 600 crores/km figure for underground lines. seems over-inflated to me

Undergrounds both much better & pricier.(Tunneling is serious cost)
From an SSC piont of view overground IS better cos of the views....
Glad it aint me whose gotta decide.

I come here to preach the values of underground metro............
Anyways, I keep going to new metro forums and always emphasize an underground metro because of it's sophistication and advantages.
The metro map will look much more convenient when you have underground metro, and there is no place in the world that possibly needs an UNDERGROUND metro than Mumbai.
The Roads, which are already clogged will be a complete mess when you have a pillar occupying a good lane or two.
Save money and build an underground system!!!!!
People make a bad assumption that traffic will marginally decrease with an addition of a metro, so elevated metro is feasble...............................think again.
True, the view of the city from an elevated stretch will be worth dying for in a few years, but so will the traffic of fellow mumbaikars below you.
Don't make the mistake mumbai.
Good pics BTW, although it's elevated.

doesnt chandani chowk have an underground metro? a city like bombay needs mostly underground anyways, we dont have 200 feet wide roads running though the city. i am really interested in knowing how they got the Rs. 600 crores/km figure for underground lines. seems over-inflated to me

I agree - looks over-inflated. However, i am sure the metro in Delhi does not go along 200-feet wide roads everywhere either. Wasnt the DPR prepared by DMRC for the second line? I would think that they would have taken that factor into consideration.

Just like the Pedder road flyover was blocked, overground metro in the western suburbs seems to be destined for the same.

We need a better incentive mechanism - locals that want an underground metro in their area should be willing to fund the additional costs for the metro in their area via higher taxes.

Same thing for Pedder flyover - their opposition will result in the costlier underground tunnel via Malabar Hill - the cost difference must be extracted over a period of 30 or so years through a surcharge on property taxes on Pedder Road.

Asking the whole city to pay for the conveniences of a few seems unfair.
(I am assuming that, for a commuter, underground or overground does not matter - if it does, then my solution may not be right.)

Another fair solution is - Make it underground everywhere (except perhaps unoccupied/undeveloped areas)!

Investment for undeground metro will pay off, and I never gave a thought about the people paying more in taxes towards the construction. Good idea.
As much as I advocate democracy and encourage every country to have one, this is one place and time I think communism can have it's advantages.
The government can tax obsessively if it has to, but people don't realize in the end that it only benefits them and their fellow citizens.

unfortunately, where funds are abundant, that is possible. It costs 12000 crores to build one line, this would be something like 30-35000 crores for ONE line. Mumbai is planning a lot more than that. Raising funds of that magnitude is not possible for the govt. or the private sector.....

Yeah, and the suburbs aren't as cramped as the city is, so it is more cost effective to stay above ground.

Due to a metro fan, I’ve a large collection of texts, photos, maps, tickets etc. about African, Oceanian, South American & Asian metros. As an Indian, I’m interested much about Indian metros. I live in Kolkata, and my city is running oldest metro of our country since 1984.

I’ve some questions; please answer me one by one-

1) Which lines of Mumbai Metro is now under construction? Please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not.
2) Beside them, any other lines are planned? If yes, then please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not.
3) Please send me a map of Mumbai metro, including operating, constructing, and planned lines.
4) I knew from internet that Mumbai once had a tram network, which is closed now. Please send me details about its map, routes, history and photos.
5) I’ve known recently that Mumbai is now planning to return tram. Please send me details about its proposed map, routes, project etc.

Go through the pages or go on mumbaimetro1.com

:cheers:

MumbaiMetro1 has answered my metro questions, but can any member help me for details about (now closed) Mumbai tram? i.e. History, route by route description, rolling stocks, complete map, and the possibility of returning tram in Mumbai (around Navi Mumbai/South Mumbai/Virar area) in future?

Anybodies parents or grandparents who are living Mumbai almost 50 years or more can help me.

Indra enters India's market with a euros 4 M contract to provide Bombay's metro with ticketing system (http://http://www.indra.es/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=IndraES/SalaPrensa_FA/DetalleEstructuraSalaPrensa&cid=1232514907005&pid=1085379475297&Language=en_GB)

All the systems to be implemented in metro will be developed by Indra in this Asian city
January 21 2009
Indra, the premier IT company in Spain and a leading IT multinational in Europe has been awarded its first contract in India. The company will implement a validation and access management system for the first line of Bombays metro which will become operative in 2011. The project amounts to euro 4, 2 M and was awarded by the Special Purpose Vehicle Mumbai Metro One Private.
All the systems and their further maintenance will be developed in Bombay. For Indra this project is another step towards becoming a global company with the capacity to render service to their clients regardless of their location.

12 stations of the line that cover the Versova-Andher-Ghatkopar corridor, running mostly on the surface, will be equipped with a system based on contactless technology. Access can be gained by approaching the ticket to the validation machine. The tickets will integrate a radio frequency chip that will work within centimetres.

In this project Indra will customise the system according to the habitual payment method in Asia: combination of contactless card with tokens or single use radio frequency chips. The tickets can be recovered once the passenger exits the subway so that they can be used again in order to reduce ticket issuing costs.

Besides the access control systems, validation and ticket issuing, the company will reconfigure the control centre’s systems where collection and the amount of cash inside the machines will be controlled or if equipment-related incidents shall occur.

This ticketing system will provide information and statistics about use of the metro in order to optimize resources and improve service.

With this contract the company participates from the beginning in the startup of the new metro network in one of the most important cities of India. This network is expected to grow and incorporate new lines. Furthermore, it is also Indra’s first reference in one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

on my trip to the Airport , i saw the pillars erected for the Metro work .. ALso hectic construction can be seen outside Andheri Station . So now its same to assume that the Metro will be running shortly :)

CM asks for review of Metro Line (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1226728)

Mumbai: Citizen activism took a new turn on Saturday when residents of Juhu and Linking Road, Bandra, along with MP Priya Dutt, met chief minister Ashok Chavan to demand that the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) re-examine the proposed elevated 8-km Metro Rail line that will run between Juhu and Linking Road.
This is the second instance when citizens are rallying against the project. Last month, DNA had carried a report on how MMRDA received 8,000 objections and suggestions from residents about the proposed elevated line between Charkop and Mankhurd.

After listening to the citizens' grievances, Chavan ordered a parallel study of the 8-km stretch and all the structures that will be affected by it. The citizens had gone with the intention of demanding an underground line instead of an elevated one. "The CM asked for a review from the concerned authorities, and a report to be submitted on the stretch. He has also asked them to review the infrastructure project, that might be required for the Metro projects," Dutt said.

The estimated cost of the 32-km Charkop-Mankhurd elevated line is Rs6,192 crore -- roughly Rs200 crore per km. But if the eight-km Bandra-Andheri stretch goes underground, the cost will increase by around Rs3,000 crore. The underground line costs Rs600 crore per km.

"Linking Road is already congested and 73 buildings in this area will be affected by the elevated line. It will also add to the parking woes in the area," said Aftab Siddique, chairperson of ALM 144 in Linking Road.

Shirley Singh, a Juhu resident suggested that the elevated line could follow the Irla nullah route and spare Linking Road.

They should make these protesters pay the extra cost of having an underground metro. Then we'll see who still wants to go underground!

I would pay extra for underground metro because it's wise.

No realignment of second metro line

Mumbai: Offering an Olive branch to residents protesting against the second metro line, chief minister Ashok Chavan on Saturday asked the MMRDA to study the feasibility of relocating stations proposed between Charkop and Bandra.
However, he ruled out changing the basic alignment of the metro line between Charkop, Bandra and Mankhurd.
A delegation of residents from Juhu, Bandra and Khar, led by Congress MP Priya Dutt, met Chavan with their demands at Mantralaya. Officials said residents opposed an overground line on the Charkop-Bandra stretch as they felt it would create a major traffic bottleneck.
Shirley Singh of the Juhu Scheme Citizens' Association said Chavan was told that the entire line between Charkop and Mankhurd should be made underground like the proposed Colaba-Charkop line.
Chavan told the residents that changing the alignment was not possible as it would lead to major delays and go against the decision approved by project consultant DMRC.
The CM asked MMRDA officials to find out if stations along ESIC Nagar to Bandra could be relocated. "They have been asked to meet the residents on the 4th of February to discuss the relocation", an official said.

source: the Times of India

MumbaiMetro1 has answered my metro questions, but can any member help me for details about (now closed) Mumbai tram? i.e. History, route by route description, rolling stocks, complete map, and the possibility of returning tram in Mumbai (around Navi Mumbai/South Mumbai/Virar area) in future?

Anybodies parents or grandparents who are living Mumbai almost 50 years or more can help me.

No realignment of second metro line

They should definitely put this line underground to help ease traffic congestion. This has to last, might as well build it that way instead of creating problems later.

Dear Ashis

I found these articles googling Mumbai Trams
Please click on these and hope these help.

Additionally, you may also type Mumbai Trams on www.flickr.com
http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/09tram.htm - especially Farhadcampwalla's pictures are gems on Mumbai's past glory.

From wiki you have this link > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihanmumbai_Electric_Supply_and_Transport#The_tram_company

Meanwhile I am sure you will get more info from other members of SSC. I may add though, that some of the trams used in Mumbai, were brought over to Hong Kong by HK Tramways in the late 60s and a major bulk of the trams running in HK were of Mumbai origin. Of course, HK Tramways has changed the 'skin & skeletons' to make them look sleek and modern. But the hardware hidden underneath the skin has tasted the sweat, heat and loads of Mumbai.

Cheers
p2p4

MumbaiMetro1 has answered my metro questions, but can any member help me for details about (now closed) Mumbai tram? i.e. History, route by route description, rolling stocks, complete map, and the possibility of returning tram in Mumbai (around Navi Mumbai/South Mumbai/Virar area) in future?

Anybodies parents or grandparents who are living Mumbai almost 50 years or more can help me.

State plans to acquire golden share in Metro (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/State_plans_to_acquire_golden_share_in_Metro/articleshow/4072087.cms)

MUMBAI: The state government plans to acquire a "golden share'' in the second line of the Mumbai Metro to ensure proper construction and
functioning of the line.

According to MMRDA officials planning the second line from Charkop to Mankhurd, the "golden share'' was a symbolic stake-holding, which the government acquired in a company that gave it the right of veto over important corporate actions in a private utility.

"The golden share concept has been approved by the Central government and will prove to be useful in ensuring that private developers stick to their promises,'' an official said.

The second line is expected to cost over Rs 6,500 crore when ready and will be built on the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. Several large groups are vying for the contract. These include two led by Ambani brothers and another led by the Tatas.

Juhu residents appoint IIT to study Metro Rail (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1227827)

Mumbai: Whatever the elite do, they do it in style. The upscale Juhu residents have given a whole new meaning to citizen-led initiative.

Not wanting the overground Metro Rail literally staring into their homes, they have been pitching for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to go underground for the 8-km stretch from Juhu to Linking Road.

Unlike the Pedder Road residents -- another uber-rich community of Mumbai -- resisting construction of a flyover there, the Juhu residents have decided to dig -- not the underground Metro but into their pockets -- to appoint their own consultants from the Indian Institute of Technology. It would cost the residents lakhs of rupees to get re-evaluated the feasibility of an underground alternative for the stretch, but they are not cagey about it.

This even after the MMRDA chief Ratnakar Gaikwad, who chaired a meeting with the residents, decided to form a core committee of residents with MMRDA officials on Wednesday to look into the techno-feasibility of the underground Metro Rail on the 8-km stretch. MMRDA has often insisted that an underground rail would cost at least Rs500 crore per km as compared to an overground one.

The core committee comprised architects PK Das, Nitin Killawala, Ashok Datar, Sherley Singh, Ranjana Barve and Tikamdas Kukreja, in conjunction with MMRDA which will review into the technical viability of the underground Metro line.

they are willing to fund a study.. probably they are willing to fund the underground metro (in the long term) for their section too?

this is insane...as if the juhu residents think they are living in Beverly Hills...

if a project is proposed by govt. to go overground then it has to...

this is insane...as if the juhu residents think they are living in Beverly Hills...

What's so great about Beverly Hills anyway? The residents of Juhu or ANYWHERE else in the country deserve ONLY the best, as I've said earlier.

When will we ever get over this rather ancient mindset of ours?

What's so great about Beverly Hills anyway? The residents of Juhu or ANYWHERE else in the country deserve ONLY the best, as I've said earlier.

When will we ever get over this rather ancient mindset of ours?

amen.

i want metro underground everywhere!!!!! why only the rich places?

Okay, whether the metro is underground or above ground is not determined by the wealth of the people in that area. Let's not start that debate here. Thanks

i want metro underground everywhere!!!!! why only the rich places?

amen to that as well.

It's very expensive to build underground , should only be done in congested areas. Rs. 350 crore per Km if done efficiently and perhaps rising up to Rs. 500 per Km underground. All of this to be underground will mean around 150 Km , which entails a cost of Rs 75,000 crore. Also , mumbai is surrounded by Sea and soil is porus on some places.

Who on earth is going to pay that , add to that maintenance charges and more comprehensive security network - dont think the SSC India members are willing to contribute much.

Privacy concerns of citizens are well understood though and when metro is build elevated it should be on the main road , not running too close to residences.

Yeah. Well said Zenith. I would loooove to see a metro or monorail running down the western express highway!!!! Monorail would look better.

It's very expensive to build underground , should only be done in congested areas. Rs. 350 crore per Km if done efficiently and perhaps rising up to Rs. 500 per Km underground. All of this to be underground will mean around 150 Km , which entails a cost of Rs 75,000 crore. Also , mumbai is surrounded by Sea and soil is porus on some places.

Who on earth is going to pay that , add to that maintenance charges and more comprehensive security network - dont think the SSC India members are willing to contribute much.

Privacy concerns of citizens are well understood though and when metro is build elevated it should be on the main road , not running too close to residences.

true that. however note that bombay is the densest city (http://http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-density-125.html) on the planet. 3 times as dense as delhi by some accounts. the cost of 'building' the metro is not just the line cost but also if done over-ground the cost of rehabilitation of the displaced, which is also higher in bombay.

the porous soil argument is a little specious. we (as in indians) have built tunnels before. EAW has a list in one of his posts somewhere. i am sure even under bombay we will hit bed rock. i have no data about the cost differential between the maintenance of a subterranean and surface metro system.

ssc india members contribute just like all other commuters and tax payers of our fair city.

this is not just about aesthetics. an underground metro is free from the constraints of the road network. its alignment can be anything the planners desire. also given the width of our roads, we are a priori hampered by the # of lines we can build.

^^
I agree. Being such a dense city with narrow, limiting roads, we have to build underground, no matter what the cost. It saves space, has more freedom, and will last. Back in the 1940's in New York, they took down many elevated lines, because you couldn't see any light from the street. Yes, it was not aesthetically pleasing, and that is also important. Now, they don't build elevated lines, because they have limited space. We have even less space. So why would we take the cheap way out when we can't?

true that. however note that bombay is the densest city (http://http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-density-125.html) on the planet. 3 times as dense as delhi by some accounts. the cost of 'building' the metro is not just the line cost but also if done over-ground the cost of rehabilitation of the displaced, which is also higher in bombay.

the porous soil argument is a little specious. we (as in indians) have built tunnels before. EAW has a list in one of his posts somewhere. i am sure even under bombay we will hit bed rock. i have no data about the cost differential between the maintenance of a subterranean and surface metro system.

ssc india members contribute just like all other commuters and tax payers of our fair city.

this is not just about aesthetics. an underground metro is free from the constraints of the road network. its alignment can be anything the planners desire. also given the width of our roads, we are a priori hampered by the # of lines we can build.

Jubin, just like everyone else i would like to see a fully underground metro too. but we have to consider cost factor too. sooner or later we need to get off our red tape ass and work on surface infrastructure and that will mean demolishing a lot of structures in its way. so why not now. that will be a start. i guess you will agree that it will be harder in the future to build metro above ground but underground will remain same.
we can build extra lines underground in the future once the city has enough money to pay for it. also i dont believe the type of soil mumbai has will be big of an issue. there are TBMs for every kind of soil now days.
for a poor country like ours we will always have to make trade offs between cost and things we want.

Jubin, just like everyone else i would like to see a fully underground metro too. but we have to consider cost factor too. sooner or later we need to get off our red tape ass and work on surface infrastructure and that will mean demolishing a lot of structures in its way. so why not now. that will be a start. i guess you will agree that it will be harder in the future to build metro above ground but underground will remain same.
we can build extra lines underground in the future once the city has enough money to pay for it. also i dont believe the type of soil mumbai has will be big of an issue. there are TBMs for every kind of soil now days.
for a poor country like ours we will always have to make trade offs between cost and things we want.

i guess we are mostly in agreement. most of these points have been raised by others before as well. i guess where we part ways is that i believe it is not lack of resources that is holding us back but lack of imagination.

thanks for your patience in indulging me.

^^
I agree. Being such a dense city with narrow, limiting roads, we have to build underground, no matter what the cost. It saves space, has more freedom, and will last. Back in the 1940's in New York, they took down many elevated lines, because you couldn't see any light from the street. Yes, it was not aesthetically pleasing, and that is also important. Now, they don't build elevated lines, because they have limited space. We have even less space. So why would we take the cheap way out when we can't?

Why would we take the cheap way out? Because these politicians would rather build something 3rd class and keep some money for themselves rather than give all the money into making something 1st class.

good point. these politicians take half the funds for themselves, and the people end up suffering. India is not a poor country, but corruption has made it seem that way. I hate to say this but until we dont get rid of that, we cant really get anywhere.

Metro Stations to have commercial hubs

Mumbai: In a major boost to Metro rail projects in the city, the government has decided to allow the construction of commercial complexes, not exceeding 4000 sq.m in size, above the stations.
The Development Control Rules (DCR) will be amended soon to clear "aerial development" above the Metro stations.
The govt. has, though, made it mandatory for the Metro developer to provide adequate parking space within a 100m radius of the Metro station, keeping in mind the number of private vehicles that are likely to turn up at the complexes.
Officials in the state urban development department told TOI that once the DCR was amended, developers bagging other lines of the nine proposed metro routes could get the same benefit. "In all probability, the benefit of aerial development can be extended to the consortium bagging the second line - Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd - for which bids have been invited," said an official.
Officials said Reliance Energy led Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd. (MMOPL), developer of the first Metro line covering Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG), had been seeking permission to construct a complex over stations to make the capital-intensive project feasible. The VAG corridor, comprising 12 stations was estimated to cost Rs.2,356 crore.
"They (MMOPL)said commercial development above stations would make the overall project viable in the long run. They assure the government of finding enough parking space around all 12 stations on the VAG route," said a senior UD official.
The VAG corridor has stations at Versova, DN Nagar, Azad Nagar, Andheri, Western Express Highway, Chakala, Airport Road, Marol, Saki Naka, Subhash Nagar, Asalpha and Ghatkopar. An average of 6 lakh people are expected to use this east-west corridor every day once its ready.

source: the Times of India, February 7th, 2009

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2009/02/14/001/14_02_2009_001_007.jpg

Source: Hindustan Times

I think that after the first line opens in 2015, there won't be any more Metro...

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2009/02/14/001/14_02_2009_001_007.jpg

Source: Hindustan Times

I think that after the first line opens in 2015, there won't be any more Metro...


This is very disheartening really ..... a 30 year old projects finally left to bits and pieces....

Its time the government steps in and finances it all

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2009/02/19/003/19_02_2009_003_004.jpg

Source: Hindustan Times

underground!!! its the only long-term solution for most of bombay

underground!!! its the only long-term solution for most of bombayconsidering that no one wants to bid on elevated corridors, good luck getting anyone to bid on underground ones.

do it the delhi way - government spending. no reason why delhi should get central help and others should not. they are going underground in new delhi in places with wide roads only because they have some government buildings around them

Mumbai has a pretty good rail network.

Why not build the elevated tracks of the proposed metro rail on the same rail corridors? Even adding two extra lines that way will reduce some of the pressure. No need for land acquistion or building demolition. Of course the Western and Central Railways have to be cooperative.

The only thing missing is a proper east west connectivity in the north. But that is being built.

They can build an underground stretch connecting VT - Churchgate under the maidans and govt buildings.

^^
Such an undertaking has already been proposed and a link between Churchgate and Virar is under study.

However, given that expanding the number of railway tracks under the MUTP-I itself was a challenge, I don't think anyone would dare fathom how long such a project would take to complete, let alone explore the financial caveats of building over an operating train line during Mumbai's rush hour.
Like most of Mumbai's public works projects, it looks good on paper but is an uphill task to implement. It can be done, but only if there is a steely resolve to push it to completion.

These articles should shed some light on the shortcomings of such a project:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/railways-explores-elevated-metro-on-mumbais-churchgatevirar-route/281694/
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1157782

do it the delhi way - government spending. no reason why delhi should get central help and others should not. they are going underground in new delhi in places with wide roads only because they have some government buildings around them

Again, its a question of implementation and incentives - for the delhi govt, only delhi matters. for the maharashtra govt, mumbai is just one city in the state. mumbai can and will get central help - but what use is it if it is not efficiently utilized.

mumbai needs more freedom and autonomy if its infrastructure is to ever develop rapidly. its pathetic to see so many people packed like sardines on the local trains every day. and the number of people who die - its genocide.

Mumbai has a pretty good rail network.

Why not build the elevated tracks of the proposed metro rail on the same rail corridors? Even adding two extra lines that way will reduce some of the pressure. No need for land acquistion or building demolition. Of course the Western and Central Railways have to be cooperative.

The only thing missing is a proper east west connectivity in the north. But that is being built.

They can build an underground stretch connecting VT - Churchgate under the maidans and govt buildings.

two main probelms

1. building tracks above existing railway lines is almost impossible due to the non-possibility of shutting down the tracks and also because there are hundreds of vehicular and pedestrian bridges over the tracks that will have to be demolished and rebuilt

2. building along the same alignment defeats the whole purpose of decongestion. you have extremely high densities on these routes anyways and it creates a huge load on surrounding infra as all feeder traffic has to move to these stations. we need new stations closer to where people work/live

two main probelms

1. building tracks above existing railway lines is almost impossible due to the non-possibility of shutting down the tracks and also because there are hundreds of vehicular and pedestrian bridges over the tracks that will have to be demolished and rebuilt

2. building along the same alignment defeats the whole purpose of decongestion. you have extremely high densities on these routes anyways and it creates a huge load on surrounding infra as all feeder traffic has to move to these stations. we need new stations closer to where people work/live

Good points.

Well I am sure when they try to build underground, there will be another lobby that will find fault with it and put a spanner. Building underground will lead to digging. That could also mean relaying of underground utilities (which can be very disruptive in the Indian context). Cracked buildings, angry store owners, undrivable or narrow roads - not a very pleasant situation.

Anyway all these lobbies should come to some kind of agreement, decide the best course of action and then move ahead. Mumbai desperately needs a better mass transit system. We should not wait another ten years trying to please every lobby, every politician, every social activist, every trade union, every slum lord.

Indian politicians and Indian people really need to look beyond their selfish motives. India will never change if it's bureaucratic system remains static for decades. I don't understand the point of debating over underground vs. elivated railway track. I think they should let the engineers decide. You can't have a complete underground or elivated tracks. At congested places they have to build underground stations and they can have elivated tracks where the land is available. If you look at London, New York, Paris and San Francisco metro, we would feel ashamed of how Indian people and politicians debate over such minute things and delay any projects which would actually help progress the nation. In San Francisco, in 1960s they put a 7 mile long (10 Kms) transbay tube under the bay to connect the railway between East Bay and San Francisco. In New York they built NY Metro about 100 years ago. Same thing goes with London, except London has the largest underground railway in the world.

It makes me feel good to see all kind of projects going on in India, but when I compare India with other countries it makes me realize that we are about 70-80 years behind other developed countires. Take an example of highways. Talk to any Indian in India and they will brag about how good the new highways are (no doubt it makes me feel good too). But in reality what's the big deal about new highways or flyovers. It's the basic infrastructure need government should have provided to Indian people right after independence.

When the Bandra-Worli Sea link gets completed, I am sure Maharashtra goverment will use that to get re-elected in the next election. But what's the big deal about Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Something government should have done long time ago is actually being done terribely late. Don't tell me that they could not have built that link in 1950s because the technology didn't exist. There was a farily advanced bridge builiding technology in 1930s, if you take an example of Golden Gate bridge, it was completed around 1935. (And yes it is over Pacific Ocean).

Indian government has really deprived Indians of number of basic infrastructures for years, now they are doing what they should have done a long time ago.

Any thoughts?

True dat. The Brooklyn Bridge was built in the 1800's. When it opened, it served not only vehicles but trains as well. India can't compare to China or any developed country in the world.

Good points.

Well I am sure when they try to build underground, there will be another lobby that will find fault with it and put a spanner. Building underground will lead to digging. That could also mean relaying of underground utilities (which can be very disruptive in the Indian context). Cracked buildings, angry store owners, undrivable or narrow roads - not a very pleasant situation.

Anyway all these lobbies should come to some kind of agreement, decide the best course of action and then move ahead. Mumbai desperately needs a better mass transit system. We should not wait another ten years trying to please every lobby, every politician, every social activist, every trade union, every slum lord.

underground always has the least opposition. shifting of utilities is a daily business in bombay, any minor road-work involves that. the underground walkway at metro junction took 3-4 years but didnt get much protest as people knew when it was finished that it would be much easier to move around. problem with overhead metro trains in narrow congested roads is that even when they are built they will lead to problems

every dense urban area around the world has underground metros. elevated is only used in areas with very wide roads. no need for india to reinvent the wheel. the template and the lessons are there from around the world

like the saying goes 'why gaze at a crystal ball when you can read the book'. especially true for india where what we are doing now has been done decades if not a century ago by others

Yeah, but who's going to pay for the extra cost of underground?

Yeah, but who's going to pay for the extra cost of underground?

million dollar question with no honest answer.

The fact that bidders for the elevated lines are hard to find , forget the u/g one.

the government. like everywhere else in the world. who is paying for delhi's underground?

the government. like everywhere else in the world. who is paying for delhi's underground?


Exactly. Why shouldn't the GOI fund the metro in Mumbai. ? Mumbai generates more revenue than Delhi and it attracts more people too. For improving the lifes of people and helping the city to become like Shangai as promised by India's PM, they should fund it. Why can't the railways fund the project ?. They generate a lion's share of profit through Mumbai railways, why can't they fund the metro ?. They are simply using Mumbai and not doing any thing for it. There is a lack of political pressure from Maharasthra on Railway ministry .

And why are they worried about the cost anyways.... The projects get delayed and the costs increase anyways. The costs of the projects are escalated when the project is fully completed... Take the example of BWSL only... Its not that they can't afford it... Our government has shit loads of money... The only thing is that it is not being used for right reasons... If there was someone ethical in the system, then all the projects would be completed on time and then they don't have to worry about costs being increased...

Exactly. Why shouldn't the GOI fund the metro in Mumbai. ? Mumbai generates more revenue than Delhi and it attracts more people too. For improving the lifes of people and helping the city to become like Shangai as promised by India's PM, they should fund it. Why can't the railways fund the project ?. They generate a lion's share of profit through Mumbai railways, why can't they fund the metro ?. They are simply using Mumbai and not doing any thing for it. There is a lack of political pressure from Maharasthra on Railway ministry .

But, darlings, GOI is funding the metro. Havent you heard of VGF? Its only that it is not completely 100%, its 40% (which is pretty sizable too.).

I still stick to my conviction that it is the Maharashtra govt and MMRDA that are screwing with the lives of Mumbaikars. They dont want to fund anything in Mumbai because that does not bring political benefits. Hence, they just want to go for the private option. Which is fine with me, except for the heavy bungling in design and contracting.

One thing is very simple that when government spends money on any kind of infrastructure projects, it will actually generate employments for the citizens. India has always faced unemployment problems, these kind of projects will actually help ease those problems. The people who are directly employed with those projects will pay income taxes. Which would help goverment generate revenues (indirectly because of the projects they are undertaking). Also when those people spend money on various things, they will pay sales taxes (another way of generating revenue for government) and not to mention the retail shoppers (or corporations) will see increase in their income as well. Once they see increase in their income they have to pay income taxes as well.

It is a simple theory, if you put a dollar (rupee) in one person's hand most probably the chances are he will spend it and the money would get circulated. After second World War, the US simply increased their infrastructure spending to come out of the recession. And it worked. The economy saw a boom and in the process lives of it's citizens improved.

Yes it might take 10-20 years to break-even but in the end the government can actually make profit out of projects like Bombay Metro. Not to mention that the millions of people
who use the service would actually feel gratitude towards government.

In the 1930's/1940's NYC's metro was not united under one name. There was IRT and BMT (there might be more, correct me if I'm wrong), and they controlled different lines. Similar to WR and CR. But as time went on, they realized that this led to the people losing out, and so they brought the entire subway system together. I believe that this in turn led to more profits for the company, and easier travel for riders. Seeing the benefits here, I believe we should implement the same idea in Mumbai. Why not bring all Metro lines and WR/CR under the same roof? They can be independent from IR and with the amount of revenue earned right now, there is bound to be plenty of funding. This can create rail infrastructure much faster for the city.

India is one of the richest countries in the world, although you may not realize it. Corruption ruins everything in this country. Dhimanshu, the US investment on infrastructure after WWII was mainly under the Eisenhower Interstate System, which created all the intersection-free expressways you see throughout most of America. I don't think there was much spending on railways, although this interstate system helped the rising unemployment problem. If we do something like this in India, that is, massive investments in road infrastructure, even we could have such expressways.

Last point I'd like to make is about elevated lines. NYC used to have several elevated lines running through the city to the point that it was unnecessary. For those of you that know about Manhattan, this included 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, and 9th Avenue. This was in addition to New York's underground lines on Lexington Avenue, 6th Avenue, 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 8th Avenue. Basically, almost every north-south street had its own line. However, people simply did not like the elevated lines, so MTA actually tore them down! Now, of course they're regretting it because of overcrowding, and are therefore rebuilding the Second Avenue line underground. In fact, most of NY metro is underground, because of the lack of space. My point is, before we make this same mistake in Mumbai, let us avoid elevated lines in such a dense city. The underground metro has the advantages of space, aesthetics, and civic support.

Inus2663 - My point was, government should not worry about the cost, whether it's railway or freeways. You invest in these projects and you will get the return back.

himanshu - the question is not about returns - ofcourse if you wait for a 100-200 yrs, there will be some return. The question is how long? and in which system to invest - is there an alternative system that gives higher return? remember, we have a lot of other problems other than infrastructure - a single rupee saved here could be rupee invested elsewhere.

I dont think the government should expect or worry a quick return on investment in infrastructure when deciding to go ahead with a project or not. If it is beneficial to the populace then they should do it. In time it will speed transportation and commerce and better the lives of citizens. If that isn't a good return on investment then I don't know what is.

Guys, I think you are taking me out of context. The reason I mentioned about the ROI is niknak put a question about who is going to pay for the cost of underground track. Of course the ROI is not the goal here.

MUMBAI: An alternate plan for Mumbai's second metro line, put forth by the residents from Bandra, Juhu, and other neighbouring areas will be
studied in detail by the state planners. The plan proposes an underground metro line instead of the MMRDA's (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) elevated rail.

With the support of over 10,000 residents, a committee comprising architects, shopkeepers from Linking Road, educational institutions and activists from the H West Ward Citizens Trust, said that their proposal will not inflict such a heavy social cost in terms of loss of land and livelihood as the elevated rail will.

Nitin Killawalla, architect and an active campaigner against the elevated line, argued that the plan has been put together by professionals along with former top officials of the Indian railways. "We have ensured that our underground stations are placed near public open spaces so that there is minimum disruption to the locality as well as human settlements,'' said Killawalla, adding that the current plan would lead to disruption of the areas it went through. "They want to have a railway line and stations on Linking Road, which is already a congested area. Our alternate plan seeks to remove this problem by skirting Linking Road,'' he said.

MMRDA officials said they will get professional assessment of the plan, but the proposed changes may add to the already growing cost of the metro rail. According to senior MMRDA official Vijaylaxmi, the cost of the underground section is more than double the cost of the elevated section.

The cost, say planning officials, will increase by Rs 4,000 crore over and above the Rs 7,660 crore earmarked for the project. Residents say the state's argument that it will be costlier is fallacious. "If you include the cost of disruption of families and commercial establishments, and the fact that you have to acquire more land for an over-ground route, it adds up to a lot more,'' said Killawalla.

V K J Rane, former chairman of IRCON (originally, the Indian Railways Construction Company) a subsidiary of the Indian Railways, who has been assisting the residents in their proposal added that if the rail route was done on broad gauge, the cost could be brought down. "It will cut costs by 40 per cent as the coaches and signalling would then be manufactured in India,'' he said.

One major hurdle is the proposed `train ramps' at the entry and exit points in Andheri and Bandra, where the elevated and underground sections can meet. The construction of these ramps, say MMRDA officials, will also require land to be acquired, and could result in the re-location of shops, residences, and so on. Metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said that the MMRDA will check the technical and economic feasibility of the alternative underground section between Bandra and Andheri and only then will be they to decide on the measures to be taken. Activists said that over 8,000 objections to the government route have been filed with the state urban development department, but they have yet to be heard.

Source: TOI

Returns on public transport shouldn't always be measured in terms of profit generated in the company's / organization's balance sheet.

Dude, our government is running a secret business. So they have to do it. Otherwise how are they going to let the people know that they are progressing. Showing that the transport has earned profits is an easy way to fool people that the government is working for them. Take the example of railways. All this years Lalu has been boasting of Railways earning profits. Good thing. Where is the profit being used or implemented? Not at least in the development of new rakes or transformation of better stations.

:bash::bash:

I don't know. You have to study the Railway budget in detail to answer that question.

Returns on public transport shouldn't always be measured in terms of profit generated in the company's / organization's balance sheet.

You are right. When i mean ROI, i mean ROI for the society.
For example, everyone knows a Personal Rapid Transit system is good but that will be too costly for Mumbai and ROI for society is not the same as a metro.

Inus2663 - My point was, government should not worry about the cost, whether it's railway or freeways. You invest in these projects and you will get the return back.

I agree with you. I am simply saying that we can spend our money by learning from other nations' mistakes, rather than making them ourselves again. Cost should not be an issue. If Mumbai railways break off from IR entirely, we can easily afford to put our money to good use.

I have some questions –
1) Will future lines also use overhead wire? Or some future lines will use third rail like Kolkata?

2) Any remaining of that pre 1964 tram system is present in today's Mumbai?

3) Will there any metro stations with both side platforms?

Previously, Mumbai thought to build a light rail line between Versova & Ghatkopar, but now the plan changed to metro line.

I’ve more and more support to subway a.k.a. metro than BRT. BRT will use existing road, which means more jam and congestion, more air and sound pollution, more smog and more death. Metro is completely separate from road traffic, and with much higher speed than BRT. No jam, no congestion, no pollution, no smog.

25kV OHE type Traction Electrification

Does this mean the traction is going to be cables dangling
overhead like the Delhi Metro and not the third rail
type as proposed for the Bangalore metro?

Like (proposed) Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) metro, Kolkata metro is also using third rail.

Mumbai Metro, India (http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/mumbai-metro/)

The present suburban railway network, which is not designed for mass transit, has to cope with those travelling into the city every day. In the 1950s, Mumbai enjoyed an extensive public transport system, with trams, rail and bus services adequately coping with demand. In recent times, however, commuter transport has become hazardous with severe overcrowding and the greater resort to road use.

Even with the need for a rethink, around 80% of journeys in Mumbai are made using public transport, mainly by train and bus, and the closure of the tramway in the 1960s is now seen as a major planning error.

There are currently 26 cities in India proposing to build high-capacity metro systems, and Mumbai is the latest to reach the construction stage.



Is Mumbai planning to return trams? And now in Navi Mumbai / Virar / South Mumbai area?
Which 26 cities in India proposing to build metro?

The new planned Dubai metro stations look a lot better then then once planned for Mumbai metro. What do you guys think?

www.lrta.org says that Dubai is building a light rail system, not metro. But Wikipedia says that Dubai is building both metro system and tram system, not light rail. Which is true?

Maybe luxury in the sense regard to the amount of underground work that has been carried out.

London metro is the oldest and largest metro of world.

www.lrta.org says that Dubai is building a light rail system, not metro. But Wikipedia says that Dubai is building both metro system and tram system, not light rail. Which is true?

its a metro....

Will future lines also use overhead wire? Or some future lines will use third rail like Kolkata?

By the way, is Ahmedabad planning to build its own subway system?

^^ wtf!!! U need to stop spamming all the threads with the same questions!!:bash:

Yeah... but some smart ass thinks its alright...... I guess he has made a fool of himself by questioning me when I told him (Mitra) to do that...

Yeah... but some smart ass thinks its alright...... I guess he has made a fool of himself by questioning me when I told him (Mitra) to do that...

All I said was you were a hypocrite for doing so because you did the same thing when you first started posting. Also, at the time you pointed it out he had valid questions.

I didn't point out he had valid questions. I said he posts the same questions in all the metro threads and such questions which he can just google and find out.

Anyways, let bygones by bygones.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2009/03/05/002/05_03_2009_002_007.jpg

Source: Hindustan Times

Hope Mumbai gets some fine rakes.

supposedly the concrete structure of ghatkopar station is almost ready

^^yeah, I saw somethin' in the paper this morning. Most of the form work is in place. It shouldn't take long from this point on...

So they are working really fast on it? how come we haven't seen much of progress pictures... KB or Bombay Boy, can you guys take some pictures while in Bombay???

Will future lines also use overhead wire? Or some future lines will use third rail like Kolkata?

overhead wire


By the way, is Ahmedabad planning to build its own subway system?

The Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board plans to focus on the BRTS so the metro system has currently been put on the back burner.

IIRC, the DPR was for the AMD metro was prepared by the DMRC in 2004.

i dont go to that area or i would have. would be quite interested in seeing the progress myself

overhead wire



The Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board plans to focus on the BRTS so the metro system has currently been put on the back burner.

IIRC, the DPR was for the AMD metro was prepared by the DMRC in 2004.

Hats of to you for cold head and for being a true metro fan - my friend. Endless thanks for answering me and thank you again for you patience and metro loving.

Source: Hindustan Times

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3342/metro.jpg

new proposal? thats the old proposal of a few years back - overground from mahalaxmi

this present GoM seems to be living in groundhog day. absolutely useless

Exactly. Why shouldn't the GOI fund the metro in Mumbai. ? Mumbai generates more revenue than Delhi and it attracts more people too. For improving the lifes of people and helping the city to become like Shangai as promised by India's PM, they should fund it. Why can't the railways fund the project ?. They generate a lion's share of profit through Mumbai railways, why can't they fund the metro ?. They are simply using Mumbai and not doing any thing for it. There is a lack of political pressure from Maharasthra on Railway ministry .

The problem lies with the administrative structure of Bombay. Who is incharge? Who is accountable? Nobody knows. Responsibility is divided between a plethora of bodies, working at cross-purposes with no coordination or cooperation.

The people of bombay don't run their own affairs. They are ruled by politicians from the hinterland of Maharashtra who don't know and don't care about urban development.

Delhi has statehood, so it has a clear advantage that its CM is solely responsible for the urban development of Delhi, and her votes depend solely on how well she is able to run that city state. Hence all the progress there.

Think about it - the only two cities whose infrastructure or living standards can be compared with the outside world are Chandigarh (A Union territory) and Delhi. No other city can come close.

Look at tier-2 cities like Pune. They are nothing more than overgrown villages with pockets of development thanks to private gated communities, which source their own water and electricity, completely cut-off from the rest of the city like an oasis. I fail to see how such cities are going to cope with increasing populations. Where is the vision? Where is the long-term planning? The Victoria Terminus was built when the population of Mumbai was just 9 lakhs. What is the population of pune today? Its 50 lakhs. Yet I don't see the Victoria Terminus of Pune being built, which allowed Bombay to become what it is today - a global financial and business center.
Infact, I'm pretty sure the last major construction project in the city of Pune was the Shanwar Wada, a fortresss built by the peshwas somewhere during the 17th century if I'm not mistaken.

Remember Chandrababu Naidu? He's the only CM who dared to focus on urban development. Look what happened to him. The rural voters took him down.

The only way our cities are going to develop according to international standards is to create city-states out of them.

meh, bombay's overall infra is still better than delhi. dont know for how long though. most of our advantage lies in plans and infra laid down pre-independence

the whole structure of india needs a rethink. the distribution of taxes is all wrong and the opposite of what it should be. local > state > centre. we have it the other way round

Will there any metro stations with both side platforms?

Source: Hindustan Times

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3342/metro.jpg



Wow! MMRDA is getting so cheap! Pretty soon they'll convert everything to monorail....and try saving another 3000 crores. Then they'll just scrap the project and save another 3,000 crores.

I don't see why MMRDA is being so cautious with money. Development always requires money. There's no way you can get development for free.

Will there any metro stations with both side platforms?

Uh... the one they constructed at Powai has platforms on three sides... So I think these will be three sides as well... What do you think? If you don't believe me, you can call the Reliance people?

^^ Right, left and front!! :lol:

there is a lot more activity on the eastern side. lots of construction outside ghatkopar station. asalpha has not yet been handed over to metro1. mmrda is still clearing up the slums and flattening part of that hillock. from there upto WEH there is a lot going on the ghatkopar/andheri link road. after WEH to andheri station east there is hardly anything. same from andheri station west to navrang cinema. then there is some more work going on till 7 bangla.

simplex has been handed over the casting yard at wadala as well.

thanks!

Good to have an update after a while.

thanks!

Good to have an update after a while.

np. will be posting some photos soon as well

Looking forward to it..

:cheers:

Metro @ Ghatkopar 1 by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3348466763/) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3348466763_251e6377a4_b.jpg

Metro @ Ghatkopar 2 by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3348467267/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3348467267_548a1ed7a8_b.jpg

Metro @ Ghatkopar 3 by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3349298720/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3349298720_4ae852fc3a_b.jpg

Metro @ Ghatkopar 4 by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3349299178/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3349299178_3d3a443cbd_b.jpg

Asalpha Flattening for Metro by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3349299624/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3349299624_555e223f82_b.jpg

Metro Work by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3348469039/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3348469039_7162a90117_b.jpg

Thanks a ton for the pics , it was a long long time since there had been a proper update before this. :)

good pics jubin. in pic 3, are they going to demolish that really old building? they are building the station awfully close to it!

Thanks a ton for the pics , it was a long long time since there had been a proper update before this. :)

np. more photos to come. i too was getting bored of posting news clippings :)

good pics jubin. in pic 3, are they going to demolish that really old building? they are building the station awfully close to it!

thx. no clue. doesn't seem that way though

Saki Naka by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3350660598/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3350660598_e8c18266db_b.jpg

Saki Naka Poster by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3349833881/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3349833881_364961c37b_b.jpg

Saki Naka looking east by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3350661654/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3350661654_ae55c45fb7_b.jpg

New Commercial construction by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3349834873/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3349834873_f42cbe9692_b.jpg

Marol Naka Station by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3350662442/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3350662442_c673bb85fc_b.jpg

Airport Road Junction by jubindave, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubindave/3349835625/)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3349835625_43c06f553e_b.jpg