dna special: Mumbai Metro-local integration awaits nod

When the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project was announced, there was a plan to integrate the metro system with the suburban railway stations. But now, even with the project nearly reaching the completion stage, groundwork still hasn’t begun to connect both the transport systems.

Outside Andheri railway station (East), a structure is yet to be constructed to bridge the barely 100-m distance between the existing foot overbridge and Andheri metro station.

Similarly, in Ghatkopar (West) a skywalk is connected with a foot overbridge but is yet to be connected with the Ghatkopar metro station. The gap between Ghatkopar metro station building and the skywalk is barely a couple of feet.

The Mumbai Metro One Private Limited, a special purpose vehicle made to implement the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro, has started the process of securing permission from the Central Railway to connect the metro and suburban railway stations.

A letter drafted for CR general manager Sunil Kumar Sood by metropolitan commissioner UPS Madan, which has been accessed by dna, said that although the issue regarding Ghatkopar metro station building being constructed on railway land is yet to get resolved, considering larger public interest the CR has been requested to allow joining of the skywalk with the metro station.

Madan said, “Andheri metro and suburban railway stations will be connected in the next few months, but a time frame can’t be given at this juncture. It can be assured that things will be in place by the time the metro rail is commissioned.”

If Andheri and Ghatkopar railway stations aren’t directly connected with the metro stations, commuters will have to get off the foot overbridges and then climb the stairs of the metro buildings, thereby defeating the purpose of integrated transportation solutions.

What’s in a name? Location, for one
JB Nagar residents have stepped up their efforts to get the name of Chakala metro station changed to JB Nagar metro station. According to them, Chakala is around two kilometres away from the station and, geographically, the station is situated in JB Nagar