Mumbai Metro Updates

[JD]

Originally Posted by MachuPichu

I dont believe Money ever was and ever will be an obstacle. What India lacked was/is vision to see things ahead and very well qualified civil servants. whoc could direct and execute these projects.

What about Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and a whole bunch of other cities/countries? They did not have oil, did they?

MP

Couldn't have put any better myself. What any Indian city or India itself lacks is careful planning. Everything is ad-hoc or patch work. Can we stop giving various excuses and admit that India is anyone's worst nightmare thanks to bad palnning.

[Luckystreak]

Originally Posted by MachuPichu

What about Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and a whole bunch of other cities/countries? They did not have oil, did they?
I dont believe Money ever was and ever will be an obstacle.
MP

You choice of selection of countries for comparision is pretty amusing. Welcome to reality. For the various metros under construction/proposal, India is barely managing to fillup the viability gap for funding the metro and in some cases awaiting low interest loans from JBIC.

Originally Posted by MachuPichu

What India lacked was/is vision to see things ahead and very well qualified civil servants. whoc could direct and execute these projects.

MP

We were not talking of whether India needs vision or not. Thats a different issue. The point was does India really need to build the kind of stations Dubai is doing. When we are finding difficult to put the Metro in place first, why complain about not having extravagant stations. I would rather prefer to spend that extra money on extending the metro rather spending on showy stuff. Thats what Delhi metro is doing now. DMRC has decided not to spend money anymore on building expensive stations like Rajiv Chowk/Connaught place and rather use the funds available to extend the metro, which is more the need of the hour.

BTW, we have seen only one model of the Mumbai metro station, and it no way looks tacky or inadequate.

[mumbairail]

When I said Mumbai metro will cost the same as Dubai metro I meant per km cost. I know Dubai metro is LRTS and Mumbai Metro is a MRTS. Knowing our politicians I am sure Mumbai metro railway will be Broad Guage. A metro railway plays a major role in the development of any city. From what I am hearing looking at the development plans of Mumbai city the netas want to promote it has a world class city then please built world class infrastructure. Dont built low grade infrastructure. Good looking stations are very important they are the pride of a modern city. They will attract tourist, attract more travellers, build a reputation etc. Look at Rabale station in Navi Mumbai. The rest of Navi Mumbai stations are huge. We have the money, its not the question of money like my friend said it is vision. If we are spending 20,000 crore rupees on the complete network we might has well built good modern stations. I think Dubai station is one of the best stations I have ever seen. Can someone please post the dubai metro station rendering photos here in this thread.

Mumbai Metro Vs. Dubai Metro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I dont see anything grandoise about the Dubai station. It is more modern and sleek and I am sure Mumbai metro will cost the same as Dubai metro

Mumbai metro:
http://www.mumbaimetro1.com/mmportal/HTML/index.html

Dubai Metro:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...=390090&page=8

[cncity]

We do have money, there are enough banks ready to provide us loans even after knowing our history. The problem lies with our architects. Every other big project has hafeez contractor's name to it. He cant possibly design the whole of India, from buildings to airport to railway stations and malls.

Most of the malls in india still dont actually have a design as such. The exteriors are just box-shaped with a few escalators thrown inside the mall. You can see the difference between our malls and the malls in south east asia. Even half of the metro stations in delhi dont really look world class. We need to have hire foreign architects, who actually have experience in designing malls and airports and railway stations, and then only our quality can match the world standards. Give hafeez contractor a break, he is good at designing buildings, let him do just that.

[mumbairail]

Dubai metro stations: Very futuristic - Does Mumbai need this what do you guys think?

[LaVogue]

Mumbai needs a metro that is better than Dubai's.

[spyguy]

Originally Posted by cncity

We do have money, there are enough banks ready to provide us loans even after knowing our history. The problem lies with our architects. Every other big project has hafeez contractor's name to it. He cant possibly design the whole of India, from buildings to airport to railway stations and malls.

Any idea on how much money Hafeez has made after all these years of getting plum jobs with little or no competition?

But I seriously agree with you and probably said the same thing a while ago. One architect for every highrise, IT ********, shopping mall, and infrastructure project is never a good idea, especially with the last one. Indian airports and train stations need to last for a long time with a lot of capacity so you need architects that are competent and have experience with layouts and traffic flow and all of that.

[Tintin27]

As long as the mumbai metro is functional as well as good integrated interchanges with commuter lines, future BRTs, it will go ahead a long long way.. Futuristic designs will win them many design related awards but the ultimate goal will be to provide a transport solutions integrating to different mode without any hassles to the commuters..

[Cov Boy]

As long as the mumbai metro is functional as well as good integrated interchanges with commuter lines, future BRTs, it will go ahead a long long way.. Futuristic designs will win them many design related awards but the ultimate goal will be to provide a transport solutions integrating to different mode without any hassles to the commuters..

I agree with that.

The Dubai Metro looks great (very futuristc) but I dont think it would suit Mumbai to have something similair or the same. As long as its functional and practical and made to a high quailty & finish this would be most beneficial for Mumbai.

[cptracker]

I am not coming to this link to read what you guys think how station look. You can talk those issues in chai bar. I am and so most of us are interested in only update/progress on Mumbai metro as the tiltle of this thread says.
Anyway here is some news about airport link:

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1088583

Airport now on Metro rail map
Rajshri Mehta
Tuesday, April 03, 2007 00:18 IST

The GVK consortium, which won the rights to modernise Mumbai airport have finally decided to connect the first metro line connecting Versova to Ghatkopar to the international airport at Sahar. Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL), the company set up by the consortium is currently working out modalities with regards to revenue sharing agreement, number of trains that will be required to be operated with Mumbai Metro 1, the company set up Reliance Energy that is constructing the metro.

The metro or automated passenger train will run the 1.5 km stretch from the metro station at Leela Hotel to the airport.

Confirming that plans are afoot to construct the connector, the MIAL spokesperson said that the cost of construction for the elevated train will be borne by them. The connector when finally constructed will be a boon to thousands of airline passengers as plans are afoot to have domestic and international airlines take off from Sahar airport itself.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Metro 1 have appointed France based Systra and US-based Parsons Brinckerhoff as engineering and project management consultants for the first metro corridor between Versova to Ghatkopar. With a bid of Rs 142 crore, the consultants will not only finalize the alignment but also design the stations.

Considering the first metro line is being constructed on Build Operate Transfer basis, US based consortium of Louis Berger and Rites have been appointed as independent engineers. For Rs 15 crore, the engineers will act as mediators in case of disputes arising between Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Reliance Energy, which won the bid.

[Cov Boy]

[QUOTE]I am not coming to this link to read what you guys think how station look. You can talk those issues in chai bar. I am and so most of us are interested in only update/progress on Mumbai metro as the tiltle of this thread says.QUOTE]

Thats fair enough and a fair point to make...

Glad things are moving on the Mumbai Metro front.

[mumbairail]

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has extended
the date for submitting the pre-qualifying bids for the second
corridor of the Mumbai Metro rail project to May 2.

"On request of the applicants, the last date has been deferred to the
same day of next month," G R Madan, Director, MMRDA, said.

http://tinyurl.com/2uv7kq

[IU]

VIA TOI



VIA HT

[IU]

And BTW PB/SYSTRA would jointly manage the Mumbai Metro. Here's a press release from PB[Opens with Adobe]

And here's Google Map showing the locations of stations on the VAG line

[IU]

Metro ride may cost 50% more than bus fares

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is involved in the execution of the Mumbai Metro project, is banking on the belief that the city’s residents are more “time sensitive” rather than “price-sensitive” to finalise the fare structure.
Speaking informally at a workshop organised by Epicons Friends of Concrete, a senior MMRDA official said a metro ride “should be priced at 50 per cent over BEST bus fares on similar routes”, given the fact that it will cut travelling time and provide AC comfort.
The Mumbai Metro’s first line (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) is expected to be ready by 2010. The MMRDA is helping Reliance Energy Limited build it. The fare structure being discussed for the 11.7-km elevated route is Rs 6 (up to 3 km), Rs 8 (3 km-8km) and Rs 10 (over 8 km).
“Citizens in Mumbai will be willing to pay extra for the fast and clean ride. In other cities time is not so valuable and life is slower,” said G R Madan, the MMRDA director who’s overseeing the progress on the Metro.
Citing the example of Kolkata, Madan said when the Calcutta Metro raised its fare by one rupee after six years there was a 30 per cent drop in passenger traffic in the first week.
“The master plan for Mumbai was prepared keeping in mind the fact there was a need to provide additional north-south corridors along the main travel axis of Mumbai. It was also supposed to provide rail based services for areas not served by the suburban railway network,” said Madan.
“Since Mumbai is a closely packed city, it was decided that metro stations should be located within 1.5 to 2 km of a majority of city residents. There would be integrated interchange points with the suburban railway system to enable citizens to change without a problem,” he added.
toireporter@timesgroup.com

[Via TOI:No link]

[pding]

i hope the politicians don't play the pro-ppls card and make this fare rise part of their agendas. if the ride is safer and faster and more comfortable, i am sure Mumbaikars will love it, regardlessly of the rise in fares.

[IU]

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Mumbai Metro unveils its plans: to be cheaper and better than Hong Kong and Delhi Just how different can your experience on the Mumbai metro rail be from the ordinary local-train grind? HT brings you the first glimpse of the whole new world."Our aim is not to make a luxurious metro rail like in London. Rather, we want a cost-effective and passenger-friendly system" — K.P. Maheshwari, director, Mumbai Metro

COME SEPTEMBER and the work for the 11.3-km elevated rail route connecting Versova to Ghatkopar will commence in full swing. And when its ready (sometime in 2009), the makers of the first corridor of the Mumbai Metro say that it will be better than the metro lines in Hong Kong and Delhi.

“We are sure Mumbai Metro will be better than the rest because we are using tried and tested technologies. Our aim is not to make a luxurious metro rail like in London. Rather, we want a cost-effective and passenger-friendly system,” said K.P. Maheshwari, director, Mumbai Metro One. Mumbai Metro One is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed between Reliance EnergyVeolia Transport and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

“We are learning from the mistakes others have made,” said Maheshwari explaining that the Mumbai Metro will have conveniently located escalators on stations. This, he explained, was after learning from the Bangkok Metro, which makes commuting difficult for the physically challenged because of the location of the escalators.

According to Maheshwari, other critical aspects such as appointment of civil contractors and decision on coaches etc will be taken before work begins in September. MVA, an international consultancy firm, has been appointed to chart out a traffic management plan to be implemented during the construction period. The aim is to ensure that vehicles and pedestrians are not inconvenienced during the period of construction.

An environment impact assessment will be conducted to ensure that levels of sound, the process of dumping debris, etc are eco-friendly, said G.R. Madan, director, Mass Rapid Transit System.

When ready, the 11.3 km stretch will cut travel time between Andheri to Ghatkopar to just 20 minutes from the current 90 minutes during peak hours. The Metro is expected to carry traffic equivalent to seven bus lanes and 24 lanes of private vehicles.



Hurdles Ahead

• The entire stretch will be developed along the median of an existing road.
  
• Will pass through Andheri Chakala Road and Saki Naka — some of the most crowded corridors of Mumbai.
  
• Three-level stations will have to be built in the middle of the road. Roads like JP Road and the stretch between Saki Naka and Asalpha are hardly 18 metres wide, making it tough to build a station in between.
  
• The elevated metro rail corridor would cross the existing Andheri flyover 7m above it and 21m from the ground.
  
• Rehabilitation of project-affected victims.
  
• Would also cross the congested western rail corridor near Andheri station.

Full Article


[via HT:No Link]

[IU]

Metro builders draw up a greenprint for construction

Mumbai: Covered sites, minimum air and sound pollution, landscaping—these are just some of the green measures the builders of the first line of the Mumbai Metro, from Versova to Ghatkopar, are trying to incorporate during the construction and operating of the line.

“A number of environmentfriendly measures are under discussion for the first line including the main administrative building, a green building with environment safeguards,’’ said Mumbai Metro One director Krishna Prakash Maheshwari.

Mumbai Metro One Private Limited is a special purpose vehicle created to implement the 11.4 km long line that will connect Versova, Andheri and Ghatkopar at a cost of Rs 2,356 crore. It is a joint venture company formed by Reliance Energy Limited, Veolia Transport, France and MMRDA.

“We will also be going in for an environment ratings system overseen by the Confederation of Indian Industry-Leads India,’’ Maheshwari said adding that Leads is one of the leading environmental rating institutions in the world. “Their standards will be adhered to during the building of the metro rail.’’

Technologies certified to be safe will be used during construction and the sites will be covered in such a way that there is no dust fallout, something lacking in most construction sites in the city, he said. Mumbai Metro One will also take measures to ensure that air and sound pollution is minimised during construction through use of modern methods. “To ensure there is no sound pollution, the driving of piles on the road will be done with a special screw down method which does not generate much sound unlike the regular pile driving machines used at construction sites,’’ said S C Gupta, head of civil construction for the metro.

“We have also worked out a quick debris disposal system so that it is not left lying at the site,’’ Maheshwari said. The Metro will also use energy efficient lighting systems to ensure they conserve power. “The ventilation and air conditioning systems will also be energy efficient,’’ said Gupta.

“When we begin work on the depot sites at D N Nagar and Wadala, we will conserve the topsoil and also do landscaping on the route,” Maheshwari added.
toireporter@timesgroup.com

[Via TOI:No Link]

[arijeetb]

Originally Posted by indiansunite

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Mumbai Metro unveils its plans: to be cheaper and better than Hong Kong and Delhi Just how different can your experience on the Mumbai metro rail be from the ordinary local-train grind? HT brings you the first glimpse of the whole new world."Our aim is not to make a luxurious metro rail like in London. Rather, we want a cost-effective and passenger-friendly system" — K.P. Maheshwari, director, Mumbai Metro


Full Article


[via HT:No Link]

A "makes you feel good" article. Not sure how/what parameters are used to rate London as luxurious and the mumbai one as not. Many of the features described are common.

[PlaneMad]

Ive travelled on the tube and theres definetely nothing luxorious about it.